Richland County continues to distribute millions in federal funding to help local small businesses, nonprofits and other organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
In 2022, the County designated up to $16 million in ARPA funding for local organizations. At the close of applications last October, the County had received 427 applications for requests totaling more than $107 million.
At a Richland County Council meeting June 6, Councilmembers approved recommendations from the Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to award funding specifically toward youth and recreational services using a process to be determined later by County Council.
In addition, any remaining funds from this category that are not committed by June 30, 2024, and expended by Oct. 31, 2024, will be used for the construction of a family services center.
Council previously determined that funding would be distributed based on the following categories:
- Broadband services in underserved areas
- Nonprofits
- Senior assistance
- Services for unhoused people
- Small businesses (501(c) certificate not required)
- Workforce training
- Education assistance
- Food insecurity
- Youth and recreational services
To date, other County organizations that have been approved for funding and their respective categories are:
Broadband services in underserved areas
- Richland Library
- Columbia International University
Nonprofits
- Epworth Children’s Home
- Midlands Mediation Center
- The Cooperative Ministry
Senior assistance
- S.C. Association of Community Action Partnerships
- SC Uplift Community Outreach
Services for unhoused people
- Alston Wilkes Society
- Compass Community Development Corp.
- Eddings Help House
- Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
- Restoration803
Categories with applicants that are still awaiting application review or approval by County Council include:
- Small businesses (501(c) certificate not required)
- Workforce training
- Education assistance
- Food insecurity
Applicants can follow County Council meeting agendas to find out when funding is awarded. Once the process is complete, all applicants will be notified of their application status. Learn more about ARPA on Richland County’s website: www.richlandonline.com/arpafunding.