St. Louis County Government: St. Louis County Receives $96.5 Million In APRA Funds To Assist In Pandemic Response

Press release from the St. Louis County Government:

August 13, 2021

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (August 13, 2021) - St. Louis County has received $96.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

It’s the first allotment of the $193 million the County is expected to receive over the next three years.

County Executive Dr. Sam Page is calling on the County Council to continue with the same priorities his administration used in responding to the pandemic when St. Louis County received $173 million in CARES Act funds last year.

“With the Delta variant driving up more COVID-19 cases, especially in our younger residents, we must continue focusing on our pandemic response while looking at the long-term needs of St. Louis County,” said Dr. Page. “These new funds provide an opportunity to make historic investments in building a future where everyone in St. Louis County has access to health, safety and opportunity.”

Dr. Page’s administration used CARES Act funds to address the public health, humanitarian, and economic consequences of COVID-19, with special emphasis on addressing the impact the pandemic has had on vulnerable and underserved populations, particularly the African American community and people with chronic medical problems.

Last month, Dr. Page wrote to the council that his administration has identified several potential projects that are consistent with those priorities.

They include:

• Spending an estimated $36 million to construct a new health center in North County that will increase health services and in-clinic lab capacity, and to build out a state-of-the-art Substance Abuse Support Center.
• Using an estimated $22 million to expand workforce development programs currently offered at the MET Center in Wellston. Dr. Page’s staff began planning for an investment of this magnitude in the spring.
• Setting aside a significant amount of the funds to replace lost tax revenue, to relieve historical budget pressure for future property tax increases.
• Providing pay raises to Justice Services staff who provide critical services to residents of the jail and make less than their counterparts in other counties. Justice Services officials are currently working with the Council on this important issue.

“There remain several unmet needs throughout our community, and the Council now has to prioritize what is best for those they serve,” Dr. Page said. “I look forward to working with the Council on these critical decisions that affect our community now and for years to come.”

This press release was produced by the St. Louis County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.