Tristate Homepage: “The Vanderburgh County Commissioners announced plans for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coronavirus Local Recovery Fund Utilization Plan which includes over $19.3-million dollars in funding…”

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated how President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan is delivering (again) for Hoosiers across Indiana. This time, the COVID-19 Relief funds are investing about $19.3 million in projects across Vanderburgh County – including for paving roads, improving both security measures and mental health resources in the County Jail, and community development. These investments will help fix the F-rated quality of life created under the Indiana Republican Party’s 18-year control of the state government – and it’s Democrats who are correcting this partisan mess. 

Here’s a summary of the American Rescue Plan’s $19.3 million for Vanderburgh County. 

• Vanderburgh County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum – $6,000,000
• Coroner’s Office – $3,000,000
• Hearing Chambers – $1,800,000
• Clerk Renovation – $1,200,000
• Jail Cameras – $1,200,000
• Jail Mental Health Wing – $1,000,000
• Paving – $1,000,000
• NFP/E-REP Grants – $1,000,000
• Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality – $1,000,000
• Commissioner and Council Office Upgrades – $600,000
• SWIRCA & More – $500,000
• Easterseals Southwestern Indiana- $500,000
• Evansville Crisis Care Center – $500,000
• Health Department Premium Pay – $58,000

In contrast, the Indiana Republican Party said “NO” to this brighter future. Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer and U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon called this project “socialism” – claiming the Republicans’ opposition to health care investments was a “great campaign to run on”. The Indiana GOP’s extreme opposition to the kitchen-table issues is another reminder they have no plan for Indiana’s future – just abiding by national partisanship. 

Here’s a look at how the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for the Hoosier State:

TriState Homepage: $19.3M plan for upgrades in Vanderburgh County

On June 14, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners announced plans for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coronavirus Local Recovery Fund Utilization Plan which includes over $19.3-million dollars in funding to include local non-profit and cultural organizations, security, and mental health. The county council still needs to give approval. The projects include:

Aid to Impacted industries: Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality – $1,000,000
This funding will provide additional relief programming, including direct grants, for
organizations whose missions focus on arts, culture, and educational initiatives benefiting
Vanderburgh County residents.

SWIRCA & More – $500,000
The mission of SWIRCA & More is “enhancing opportunities for independent living and a better quality of life for those who are aging, people living with disabilities, and caregivers in Southwestern Indiana,” which meets the objectives of interim final rules for the use of the Fiscal Recovery Funds. SWIRCA & More is designated by the Indiana Division of Aging as a focal point responsible for planning and coordinating a system of services for Older Hoosiers. 

Easterseals Southwestern Indiana- $500,000
Easterseals provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs as well as support to their families, which meets the objectives of interim final rules for the use of the Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Evansville Crisis Care Center – $500,000
The Crisis Care Center will offer treatment to those with mental health and substance abuse disorders who are in a crisis and serve as a jail and emergency service diversion program, intercepting individuals who would likely be sent to the ER or jail. CCC will stabilize and start a plan to get the person towards long-term treatment and support through local resources, serving as the first step toward long-term treatment.

NFP/E-REP Grants – $1,000,000
The County will allocate and spend One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) to provide funding to
Not For Profits Organization through Evansville Regional Economic Partners (E-REP). E-REP
will administer the funds for community development, grant administration, financial management, and grant close-out services for the Vanderburgh County, IN American Rescue Plan Act Funds. 

Jail Mental Health Wing – $1,000,000
The Wing will provide mental health treatment, substance misuse treatment, other
behavioral health services, and services or outreach to promote access to physical or behavioral health, primary care, and preventative medicine as explicitly allowed under the Interim Final Rule. This additional facility has been precipitated by the increased need for services caused by the pandemic as substance misuse, mental health services, and crime have increased.

Coroner’s Office – $3,000,000
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office had the most deaths investigated last year (2021) ever. The total number of deaths reported in 2021 was 2,223, the highest ever. The current facility was built to handle approximately half that number of cases. The higher number of cases clearly shows the increased strain placed on the County Morgue and thus the need for a new facility to properly handle the increased volume of reports and investigations.

Paving – $1,000,000
The County will allocate and spend One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) to supplement the County Highway Department’s budget for paving.

Jail Cameras – $1,200,000
The County will allocate and spend One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00)
for cameras for the Vanderburgh County Jail.

Vanderburgh County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum – $6,000,000
The County will allocate and spend Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) for the renovation of the
Vanderburgh County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum.

Health Department Premium Pay – $58,000
These funds are for workers who performed essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency

Commissioner and Council Office Upgrades – $600,000.
The County will allocate and spend Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000.00) for upgrades
and/or renovation of the County Commissioner and County Council Offices in the Civic Center
Complex.

Hearing Chambers – $1,800,000
The County will allocate and spend One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,800,000.00) upgrades and/or renovation of the Civic Center Complex for the addition of an additional trial courtroom.

Clerk Renovation – $1,200,000
This Commission has taken the necessary steps to help local non-profit and cultural organizations, community security, and mental health in Vanderburgh County. This project is a direct result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding Vanderburgh County received.

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