Detroit, Michigan
A well-known representative from the White House spent some time in Michigan not long ago, expressing his appreciation for the ways in which the state has been utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Speaking from the front yard of a resident in Oak Park, the aide praised the homeowner for how she used the funds to replace old, draughty windows with new, energy-efficient ones. The happy retiree, Gwen Bynum, is thrilled with her new windows and even more delighted with the fact that the cost won’t have to come out of her own pocket.
Funding from ARPA, a massive $1.9 trillion emergency aid bill signed into law in 2021 to help stimulate economic recovery, provided Bynum with the much needed assist to tackle this home improvement project. Like many others, she has been personally affected by COVID-19, losing her husband to the virus.
The White House aide’s visit didn’t just stop at the homeowner’s front lawn. The aide remarked on the significant impact of the ARPA on not just homeowners but local communities as a whole. He highlighted how the funding has helped many seniors stay comfortable and safe in their homes while contributing to energy conservation.
According to Oakland County officials, this wasn’t an isolated case. ARPA funding has enabled similar home improvements for around 1,100 homes across Oakland County. On top of these crucial infrastructure improvements, funds have also been used to expand mental health services, support education and training, and encourage the development of affordable housing.
Yet, the outcomes of this aid aren’t purely positive. Though effective in preventing a major recession, the massive cost of the plan has raised concerns about its contribution to rising inflation. Nonetheless, its role in stimulating the economy and supporting the labor market cannot be overlooked.
Further south, the White House representative visited Detroit, where additional ARPA dollars were put to good use. The redevelopment of the Joe Louis Greenway, an industrial wasteland now being converted into a combination of parks and walkways stretching 30 miles, has also been possible thanks to ARPA funding. Overjoyed at the transformation, the aide celebrated how communities are being reshaped for generations to come.
It’s clear then, no matter the economic drawbacks, that the far-reaching impact of the ARPA funding can’t be denied.
