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Beckett (Mecca) Township trustee asks Trumbull County for ARPA help to finish community center
Summary
Kristen Clifton, a Beckett Township trustee, asked the commissioners for $175,000 to complete a community center that would provide childcare, seniors' services and basic health screenings; commissioners discussed ARPA balances and a possible interim award of $100,000 while staff confirm budgets and contingencies.
Kristen Clifton, a trustee from Beckett Township (Mecca area), appealed to the Trumbull County commissioners for $175,000 to finish a community center intended to host childcare, senior services, health screenings and community programming.
Clifton said existing grant funding and local fundraising cover much of the project but inflation and a gap in costs left the township approximately $175,000 short. "We need about $175,000 to finish our project," she told the board, explaining the center would serve as a daycare, senior center and a clearinghouse for health checks and community events close to State Route 46.
Board response and fiscal concerns Commissioners said the project addresses clear needs in a part of northern Trumbull County while also flagging fiscal constraints: commissioners noted available ARPA funds and competing projects, asked how much room there is for contingencies, and requested documentation. One commissioner suggested the board could consider an initial allocation of $100,000 if the township’s architect could confirm the reduced scope would still meet programmatic goals.
Staff support and grant conditions Julie Green (Trumbull County Planning) said county staff assisted with grant writing and RFQ processes and can help coordinate if the board wants to move forward. Commissioners and staff discussed using leftover law‑library or ARPA funds if available, and the board asked Clifton to consult her architect about whether the project can be completed for a reduced amount.
Next steps Clifton agreed to ask her architect whether $100,000 could be sufficient; commissioners said they would review ARPA and other available balances and consider incremental funding if documentation supports it. No formal funding decision was recorded in the meeting transcript.
Attribution: Remarks by Kristen Clifton and planning staff during the public‑comment period (audience comment).
