🌱 Allocation of ARP Funds + Red Project Expands

Good day, people of Grand Rapids! Erica Zenn here with today's edition of the Grand Rapids Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Frigid with periods of sun. High: 16 Low: 8.

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Here are the top stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. Grand Rapids is using $1.4 million ARP funds to make up for lost revenue during the pandemic. The city is putting the money towards much-need infrastructure upgrades, including but not limited to parking spaces, upgrading meter parking, new elevators and staircases. These projects are happening after extensive delays due to COVID-19. (Fox17)
2. The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute hosts roundtable of local female leaders to discuss the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four women and a female-moderator talked substantially about the ways that COVID has impacted their community how they are working to make sure new policies are equitable, safe and sustainable for all residents. (WOODTV.com)
3. Red Project is now providing treatment, recovery coaching and overdose education in rural areas. Recovery coach Catherine Kelly reports that between April 2020 to April 2021, there were 100,000 opioid-overdose deaths in Grand Rapids. Kelly stresses the importance of harm-reduction treatments, and is thrilled that Red Project will now be able to reach those in need even outside of Grand Rapids proper. (Fox17)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• COVID Vaccination Clinic at Kentwood High School (12:00 PM)
• Coffee with a Cop at the Plainfield Senior Center (1:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is excited to feature the winners of the Dept. of Music's Young Artist Competition on Saturday, 2/5. The event will take place at the Howard Center at 8:00PM. (Instagram)
• Congratulations to Kalamazoo College's Student Health Center, who were finalists in the Small College Division of the Alana Yaksich College and University Flu Vaccination Challenge! The school's SHC finished first in Michigan and third in the nation in overall. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.