Northwest Suburbs Begin to Divvy Up American Rescue Plan Dollars

Minnesota received $8.5 billion in federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Twenty-one Minnesota cities received some of this money.

Brooklyn Park is offering some of its $11.5 million to community groups for violence intervention.

“Some of the funds are being directed toward violence intervention and interruption activities and so we’re seeing that happen now already with community groups out in the community interrupting the most violent activities that are happening,” said Kim Berggren, Brooklyn Park’s director of community development. “Then the other portion of the funds we’re thinking about the future and people getting back to work and getting better jobs and growing the wealth of our community.”

Community groups can still apply for funds on Brooklyn Park’s website through Feb. 4.

“There’s a lot of need in the community as there is everywhere from the pandemic and so these funds are really great to have to be strategic and investing in the area as we need in the community,” said Berggren. 

Maple Grove will spend some of its $5.1 million on helping local businesses and nonprofits with grant recovery programs.  

“This includes the hospital, CROSS, some of our smaller nonprofits and some grant recovery programs for our small businesses in Maple Grove,” said Greg Sticha, Maple Grove finance director. 

The dollars will also help offset lost revenue.

“In particular, park and rec and other programming revenue declines which we obviously saw a significant amount of change in those numbers for 2020,” said Sticha.

Plymouth is receiving just over $7 million. The city hasn’t decided yet on how those funds will be allocated.

Brooklyn Park | Maple Grove