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Historical April–May 2021 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
With all of the bad news from the last year, it’s time to look on the bright side. St. Louis City will be receiving $500 million from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan.
In addition to the individual stimulus payments the Biden/ Harris administration is sending to Americans, cities are receiving funds to get back on track.
In the case of St. Louis, our unique status as a city and a county, coupled with our high levels of poverty, have made St. Louis eligible for an unprecedented economic boost.
While there is still more to learn about how these funds can be spent, a short-term focus on vaccines will be important, along with a longer term vision that focuses on bringing our economy back and addressing historic disparities in health and housing.
As I write this, we have yet to elect our next mayor.
However, I imagine it will be important to her to invest these funds in infrastructure, housing, opportunities for youth, and small business development. Luckily, St. Louis has a library full of resources that tell us where money is needed.
From the “Forward through Ferguson” report to the “Equity Indicators” report, we know where the greatest disparities are. Additionally, a thriving city has to start with the basics, making sure streets are paved and the garbage is picked up. Shoring up those basic services by ensuring we have the equipment and that the people we depend on have the resources and training they need will benefit St. Louis for years to come.
I have been reading The Broken Heart of America, which I highly recommend. It’s not easy to read about our city’s legacy of systemic racism and it’s even harder living with its effects.
This windfall from the American Rescue Plan, if invested properly, can set St. Louis on a new path.
As we come out of the pandemic, we must be careful not to go “back to normal,” and instead recognize all the ways “normal” didn’t work and use these funds to remake a better St. Louis.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2021.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2021_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
