The Monroe County Legislature unanimously approved funding for dozens of projects that will receive a portion of the county’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced Tuesday.

According to the county executive, 40 projects and programs focusing on public safety, public health, economic and workforce development and infrastructure and sustainability will receive more than $98 million in grants.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spark transformative change in Monroe County by investing our ARPA funds in programs and projects that serve our community’s greatest needs,” Bello said in a statement. “This money will directly benefit the people of Monroe County through sustainable initiatives that serve our veterans, residents of underserved neighborhoods, children, people seeking workforce training, vulnerable senior citizens, at-risk youth, families and small business owners. I thank the Legislature for passing this historic funding package, and Congressman Joseph D. Morelle and Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for their efforts to secure Monroe County’s ARPA dollars.”

“Last year, I was proud to help pass the American Rescue Plan and deliver historic resources for Monroe County,” Morelle said in a statement. “This federal funding will be transformative for our community, allowing our local government and community organizations to strengthen the essential programs and services families rely on every day. I’m grateful for County Executive Bello’s leadership, partnership, and dedication to utilizing these funds in a way that benefits our entire community—and I look forward to our continued work together to uplift every family who calls Monroe County home.”

The initiatives fall under Bello’s Bring Monroe Back initiative.

Projects receiving funding include:

• $7.1 million for the Community Resource Collaborative to create wraparound services and neighborhood outreach for better collaboration between well-known community organizations in the city neighborhoods known as the “Crescent.”
• $1.4 million for Foodlink to expand food access for Monroe County families via innovative community programs such as Foodlink’s “meal delivery truck,” which provides meals to underserved neighborhoods.
• $1.5 million for Willow Domestic Violence Center’s Multi-Disciplinary Family Justice Center that aims to provide wraparound services for domestic violence survivors in a safe, caring environment, while also providing access to key community agencies, social service providers and legal assistance.
• $2 million to support Providence Housing Development Corporation’s “Door of Hope” rapid rehousing program providing rental assistance and supportive services for hearing and deaf individuals fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking.
• $1.9 million for the Veterans Outreach Center’s renovation and expansion of Richards House – increasing their capacity to house 66 homeless veterans opposed to 38 prior to the expansion.
• Residents will have access to healthcare, job programs, nutritional assistance and other support services.
• $5.8 million to support “The Hive,” a community collaboration led by EnCompass: Resources for Learning that will expand access to academic support, job training and placement, career pathway navigation, mentoring experiences and behavioral health supports for at-risk youth and families
• $800,000 for Lifespan of Greater Rochester to connect older adults with LPNs who will work as patient advocates and educators and increase access to health care by coordinating transportation, attending medical appoints, facilitating telehealth, arranging pharmacy delivery, scheduling preventive health care screens and vaccinations.

More information can be found on the county's website.