Nov. 21. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board may finalize their list of projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act at tonight’s meeting. The agenda will include a public comment session and consideration of approval, so the board will have the option to vote on ARPA recommendations.

The commissioners have been discussing possible uses for the $9.6 million over the past several months.

Photo by Jason Benavides

Background

Cornelius will be eligible to receive $9.6 million from the American Rescue Fund according to Town Manager Andrew Grant.

All told, the plan will deliver some $1.9 trillion across the country to support responses to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. While the Cornelius share of $9.6 million may seem like a small piece of the pie, it will be a big help to the town.

‘Supplanting’ expenses

“What we are recommending is to use the federal funds to supplant expenses by the town for fire and police salaries. Then we can apply the funds we would have used for other vital needs,” Grant added.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6 pm in Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. It will also be streamed via the town’s web site at www.cornelius.org. To access the link, click ‘watch meetings online.’