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Battle Creek hears ARPA project wrap-ups from STAR Commonwealth and Neighborhoods Inc.
Summary
STAR Commonwealth and Neighborhoods Inc. presented final reports on ARPA-funded programs: a $170,000 STAR-supported middle-school resilience program at the YMCA and Neighborhoods Inc.'s expanded housing services and in-house finance capacity that served about 1,700 clients during the ARPA period.
The City Commission received final reports Feb. 18 from two recipients of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding: STAR Commonwealth and Neighborhoods Inc. Both organizations told commissioners the funds supported capital and program upgrades intended to expand services to local families.
STAR Commonwealth said the City of Battle Creek provided $170,000 in ARPA funds to help launch a middle-school ‘‘rec’’ program that operates out of the Battle Creek Family YMCA and serves multiple Calhoun County school districts. Greg Strand, vice president of advancement at STAR Commonwealth, said the bulk of the award was invested in capital improvements at the YMCA — HVAC upgrades, classroom and therapeutic-space improvements, furniture and equipment — to make space for program activities.
Katie Carpenter, director of youth empowerment programs for STAR Commonwealth, said the rec launched in 2022 in partnership with Battle Creek Public Schools and expanded to serve seven Calhoun County school districts. "The rec is a program that is free to children and families," Carpenter said. She described the program as an eight- to 10-week, five-days-a-week model that provides academic support, social-emotional activities, pool and gym access, and behavioral-health connections via STAR Commonwealth and Summit Pointe.
Neighborhoods Inc. (NIBC) presented an ARPA completion report describing housing-stability work it delivered in Battle Creek. Lisa Ripper, finance director at Neighborhoods Inc., said ARPA funding allowed the nonprofit to bring finance functions in-house by hiring a finance director and improved its ability to manage grants. Ripper told commissioners that during the ARPA period NIBC "serviced almost 1,700 clients" through tenant-based rental assistance, homelessness prevention, housing navigation, rapid rehousing and related services. Ripper also said Neighborhoods Inc. manages roughly 40 affordable rental units and provides home-rehab services and homebuyer education.
Commissioners thanked both organizations. Interim City Manager Ted noted that remaining ARPA reports would be received electronically and thanked staff who handled reporting and obligations; he reported that the city met the ARPA obligation deadline and had fully obligated ARPA funds by the end of 2024.
Public comments at the meeting raised operational issues with homeless-prevention funding and eligibility. One commenter said she had received six months of rent assistance from Neighborhoods Inc. and was told she would have to wait 18 months before seeking more assistance. That commenter asked commissioners to investigate program limits and how ARPA or other funds are administered.
The commission did not take additional action on the presentations; both reports were received and will be part of the city's documentation of ARPA-funded projects.
