Commissioners approve $9.7 million from ARP funds
Nov. 4—ANDERSON — The Madison County Commissioners have approved a proposed allocation for the remaining $9.7 million in American Rescue Plan funds.
The commissioners Monday approved funding for nine different projects which will be considered by the Madison County Council on Nov. 14.
The county received a total of $25.1 million through the federal project; of that total, $9.7 million was in the unrestricted use account.
With the approval of the county council, the county will have designated a use for all of the funding.
Included in the request is $7 million toward the construction of the new 525-bed Madison County Jail, which is expected to cost about $105.5 million.
The new jail is slated to be completed in 2026. The county has sold $79.6 million in bonds to finance the majority of the cost.
The commissioners approved $1 million for a planned regional sewer district project near Alexandria.
Also approved was $900,000 for the Scholar House skills and training center operated by JobSource of Madison County.
The program provides assistance for single parents to get a secondary education, as well as subsidized housing.
Briana Price, executive director of the Heartland Scholar House, said the funds will be used to build a new facility to provide adult and youth programming.
"This will be a dedicated space for all the programming, workshops and additional office space," Price said.
She said the building will be constructed on land adjacent to the School House on the Anderson University campus.
Price said the program currently has 45 people enrolled in Anderson and a total of 82 people in Muncie, Marion and Anderson.
"This is such a miracle for use," she said. "Being able to provide programming for adults and kids."
The commissioners also approved $200,000 for the Anderson Housing Authority for rent and utility assistance in unincorporated and rural areas of the county.
The commissioners don't want the funds used in the city of Anderson.
Kim Townsend, executive director of the Anderson Housing Authority, said the program is for the rural areas of Madison County.
"We want to make sure areas of the county receive assistance," Townsend said. "We will reach out to the township trustees as a referral agency to help determine eligibility."
Also approved was $85,000 for the purchase of two vehicles by the Madison County coroner and $75,000 for operating costs for the newly formed county Parks and Recreation Department.
There was $283,000 approved for the Madison County Planning Department to develop zoning code updates, and $50,000 for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for a quality-of-life campaign.
