LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer announced his plan for a portion of $388 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) coming to Louisville.
The mayor proposed spending nearly $39 million on Louisville’s urgent needs such as COVID-19 related health needs, rental assistance and economic recovery with a focus on downtown.
Under the proposal, Louisville Tourism would receive more than $5.6 million, which they said would go toward a marketing campaign.
“We were supporting 60,000 jobs prior to the pandemic and putting off $3.5 billion in economic impact, so this marketing campaign will be going to recapture those visitors, recapture that economic development for the city, and employ those 60,000 people again,” Stacey Yates with Louisville Tourism said.
The Court Eviction Diversion Program would receive $10 million, under the mayor’s proposal. In 2021 alone, they've helped 658 families facing eviction stay in their homes.
“The goal of our program is to keep people safely housed. So to create housing stability, this is really important, and to get this out of the court system. The stress of being in court is tremendous,” Marilyn Harris, Director of Office of Housing, said.
Here is a break-down of the mayor’s proposal:
COVID-19 Health Needs
- COVID-19 response and vaccination activities: $10,000,000
- Childcare emergency and safety supplies: $1,500,000
- Suicide prevention: $400,000
- Residential services for substance abuse and addiction: $1,200,000
Vulnerable Resident Stabilization Needs
- Court eviction diversion program: $10,000,000
- Utility assistance program: $5,000,000
- Security deposit and rental assistance: $1,000,000
- Temporary support for emergency food distribution: $250,000
Economic Recovery
- Louisville Tourism marketing funds: $5,682,500
- Downtown events and activation coordination: $500,000
- Enhanced ambassador and security program for downtown and Waterfront Park: $3,450,000
“These are initiatives that tackle immediate challenges, providing funds for agencies that can very quickly deploy the money and have an immediate impact,” Mayor Fischer said in a release. “Because while our city and nation are reopening – more people vaccinated and more of us enjoying restaurants, concerts and shops – there are still far too many who continue to suffer the health and economic impacts of COVID.”
The mayor also launched on online forum for the community to provide their input on what should be down with the remaining funds. Those interested may submit a comment online here.
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