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County ARPA update: broadband build advancing; Volo payments ongoing and small‑business programs still pending
Summary
At the May 22 meeting staff reported Volo has received partial ARPA payments for the county broadband project, easement outreach is progressing, the Champaign County Housing Authority broadband expense has been paid and reporting is pending, and two small‑business ARPA programs have not yet launched.
The Champaign County Board received an American Rescue Plan Act update on May 22 covering broadband construction, payments and remaining ARPA projects.
ARPA coordinator Kathy reported the broadband contractor was preparing to start construction as weather allowed and that funding agreements and easements were being finalized. At a county Farm Bureau meeting staff reported that about 100 easement letters had been sent and roughly 50 responses had been returned, “and almost all of them were favorable,” a board member said. Board staff said contiguous easements of roughly seven to eight landowners would allow contractors to begin laying fiber on a given segment.
Kathy summarized ARPA expenditures: about $3,000,000 has been paid to Volo from a $9,400,000 allocation for broadband work; the county paid the Champaign County Housing Authority roughly $195,000 for a broadband‑related project and is awaiting required project reporting. Staff said one small‑business ARPA program launched; two additional small‑business programs had not yet launched and county staff would follow up with economic development about next steps.
Board members asked about the RPC sleep program (homelessness/temporary shelter assistance); staff said the program had assisted about 31 clients to date and that outreach used a mix of social media, direct mail and other direct communication. The board also discussed ARPA rules: staff reminded members that because the county is past an ARPA reallocation deadline (February 2024), any re‑used funds must be applied to the same eligible purpose unless the board decides otherwise within program rules.
No new ARPA reallocations or binding budget changes were approved at the meeting; staff said if contracts cannot be completed the board would discuss reassigning funds to similar eligible projects.
