American Rescue Plan of 2021 tickets millions for Clinton County, school district, municipalities
WASHINGTON, DC – Ready or not, want them or not, Clinton County, its many municipalities and local school districts are about to receive millions of dollars, part of the proceeds from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan of 2021 signed into law by President Joe Biden last week.
Pennsylvania will be receiving an estimated $13.4 billion of the relief package. Closer to home, the biggest beneficiary will be the Keystone Central School District, slated to receive $10,768,464.
KCSD Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin said on Monday the district has been awaiting word on the funding, and is already in to planning: “We have been brainstorming and will be finalizing a plan with the finance committee of the board. We plan to spend a large portion on programs for students that are intended to address the learning loss from the pandemic.” The superintendent said more information will soon be forthcoming.
The rescue act also provides dollars for charter schools and Sugar Valley Rural Charter School is to receive $944,601.
The second largest amount, after KCSD, is $7,494,439 for Clinton County government. Board chairman Miles Kessinger said Monday the county has seen the preliminary report and is awaiting formal notification. County Chief Clerk Jann Meyers did provide this initial update:
“There are three main areas it can be spent on: Response to the public health emergency or its economic impacts; Address County reduction in revenues that would have been used to provide government services; and Investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. There is a window to use the funds until December 31, 2024. It will come in two 50% allotments. The Commissioners have not made any decisions for its use yet. We are beginning to receive notice of online meetings and webinars regarding eligible uses. I’m sure CCAP (County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania) will stay on top of the issue and we will continue to receive further information regarding its use.”
The City of Lock Haven will be getting an estimated $898,018. Contacted by therecord-online, City Manager Greg Wilson said, “At this point, it is still an estimate, and it is too soon to say what the money could be used for because we haven’t yet received a federal or state confirmation of the amount or criteria for spending the funds.”
Pine Creek Township is the largest recipient of Clinton County’s many townships, ticketed for $318,454, Lamar Township next at $250,136, Woodward Township at $233,526 and Bald Eagle Township, $206,146. Other county townships are to receive lesser amounts.
Among boroughs, Mill Hall is at the top of the list, due to receive some $158,980. Avis is next at $147,313; Flemington at $131,099; Renovo at $119,136; Beech Creek Borough, $68,417; Loganton, $47,259; and South Renovo, $42,118.
Other central Pennsylvania county amounts include Centre, $31,493,571, and Lycoming, $21,973,643.
Other school district amounts include Jersey Shore, $3,789,677; Bellefonte, $3,150,105; and Bald Eagle Area, $2,329,624.
(Editor’s Note: The numbers in this story are described as estimates, the amounts provided by the state House Democratic Appropriations Committee).
