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The Porter County Board of Commissioners is seeking input from the the citizens of Porter County regarding the investment of the $33,096,066.00 allocated to Porter County under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021. (You can also download a PDF version of the content on this page HERE)

Generally, ARP provides that funds may be used as follows:

1. INFRASTRUCTURE: To make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.
2. COVID RESPONSE: To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality or assistance to households, small businesses, and non-profits.
3. PREMIUM PAY: To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers.
4. REDUCTION IN REVENUES: For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency.

You can view and/or download the complete ARP Interim Final Rule published by the US Department of Treasury, along with more detailed information about permissible uses of the ARP funds HERE. 

The Department of Treasury is distributing the ARP funds in two tranches. The first tranche of $16,548,033.00 was received on May 25, 2021. The second tranche will be distributed in 2022. Accordingly, the Porter County Board of Commissioners have developed a PART ONE plan for the first distribution of funds. The PART TWO plan has not yet been developed.

PART ONE PLAN

The Board of Commissioners, subject to appropriation by the County Council, has developed a plan to use the first tranche of funds ($16,548,033) as is listed below. The Commissioners are seeking public input on these designated uses.

• INFRASTRUCTURE:
  • Porter County Storm Water Management Board: Up to $4,000,000 for critical storm water infrastructure projects including Stimson Ditch and Shorewood drainage system.
• COVID RESPONSE (RESPONDING TO COVID-19):
  • Behavioral Health: Up to $25,000 for initial mental health study;
  • Mitigation and Prevention: Up to $785,000 for:
    • Jury Assembly Room construction and furnishings;
    • Information Technology for Jail, Sheriff and Courts;
    • Architect fees for space planning to mitigate or prevent COVID
• COVID RESPONSE (RESPONDING TO NEGATIVE IMPACTS):
  • Assistance To Impacted Industries, Including Tourism, Travel & Hospitality;
    • Up to $2,500,000 for completion of Marquette Trail;
    • Up to $5,500,000 for upgrades, including restrooms and flexible open space for patrons and employees to allow for social spacing at Memorial Opera House;
    • Up to $150,000 for building upgrades at the Indiana Dunes Welcome Center.
  • Assistance to households and individuals, and/or assistance to small business and non-profits negatively impacted by COVID:
    • Township Governments: Up to $500,000 divided by population, for assistance to households and individuals, and/or assistance to small business and non-profits negatively impacted by COVID or any other allowed use under the American Rescue Plan Act;
    • Porter County Redevelopment: Up to $1,000,000 for assistance to small businesses.
• PREMIUM PAY:
  • Up to $1,200,000 for eligible employees. Each eligible employee would receive up to $4,000 premium pay.
• INFRASTUCTURE:
  • Porter County Storm Water Management Board: Up To $4,000,000 for critical storm water infrastructure projects including Stimson Drain and Shorewood drainage system.

PART TWO PLAN

The Board of Commissioners will be working to develop a PART TWO PLAN for use of the second tranche of funds ($16,548,033) to be received in 2022.

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

The public is encouraged to provide comments and suggestions to the Board of Commissioners regarding the PART ONE PLAN and PART TWO PLAN. Please NOTE: Recommendations should be consistent with the four categories of permissible uses as outline at the top of this page.

 To provide your input, go to SUBMIT ARP PUBLIC INPUT ONLINE FORM. 

Your comments and suggestions will be automatically forwarded to the Commissioners.