UP NORTH NEWS:
City’s $17 million in ARPA funds would also be used to purchase electric and hybrid vehicles, and to address the environment.

City of Superior officials plan to spend $17 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on a range of projects to address community needs, from $5 million to increase broadband internet access to $200,000 to add to available child care options.

Among other services funded by ARPA money approved by the Superior City Council are $2.35 million for upgrades for waterway, parks, and trees; $2 million for police vehicles and body and squad car cameras; $1.25 million in grant funding for nonprofits; $500,000 to address homelessness; and $100,000 for mental health services.

The city also will use ARPA money to purchase hybrid police cars and an electric emergency response vehicle for the fire department, and to rehabilitate the city’s historic Princess Theatre and Carnegie Library.

Those kinds of investments, most of which would not be possible without ARPA monies, will not only help Superior bounce back from the adverse financial impacts imposed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but will help attract “business, remote learning, higher education, and telemedicine opportunities” to Superior, City Council member Jenny Van Sickle said.