”We were able to help out our county in a great way,” Simmons said. “We didn’t want to just put it (the money) into salaries or in an overflow account. We wanted to use it for the community.”
Per federal rules, all ARPA funds had to be allocated by the end of 2024 and they have to be fully spent by the end of 2026.
The $20.7 million funded dozens of projects ranging from $3.5 million for a Casstown water line project and $2.7 million for renovations of the more than 100-year-old fairgrounds grandstand, to as little as $625 for a landscape architect for a Jackson Cemetery project near Piqua. Another grant of $75,000 later was approved from the funding for the cemetery revitalization project.
Among projects approved by the commissioners, with recommendations from a review committee, were a project to improve childcare offerings in the county, dollars to support a memorial to Medal of Honor recipient William H. Pitsenbarger at his burial location in Miami Memorial Cemetery in Covington, and funds to buy a vehicle for the Community Rides program offering rides to work for those in need, among many others.
One of the last projects approved by the commissioners was the Casstown water line extension, a long-talked-about effort whose contract was approved in December and will be done in conjunction with the city of Troy and the eastern Miami County village of Casstown.
“They have been doing without good water for years,” Simmons said of the rural area between Troy and Casstown that will receive the service. The project would not have been possible without the ARPA money because of the high cost. The county’s $3.535 million share all will come from ARPA funds. Troy will contribute $1.5 million, and the village received a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission for its share.
“We just didn’t have the money. One of the great benefits of this (Casstown project) is we are able to go into the homes without residents paying hook up (service connection) fees,” Simmons said. “That is one of the things we are really proud of doing.”
Other major ARPA projects included money for phase two of the county Courthouse renovations, county fairgrounds improvements and the Indian Hills 4-H Camp near Pleasant Hill.
“The money we put out there is something that can be used for decades to come,” Simmons said.
Determining the best use of the funding wasn’t always easy. In 2022, the commissioners commented on some weariness they were experiencing with the continuing requests for a piece of the funding for an array of projects.
Commissioner Ted Mercer said at the time, “In public we get asked … that is all we hear, ‘Can we get some of this?’ ” he said. “We get hit up all the time.”
Simmons agreed at times it was difficult but added “we wanted to see what would best fit with the needs of the citizens of Miami County.”
Joint projects with other communities were encouraged where possible, which included communities pitching in for a child advocacy center and a countywide 911 study.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
About the Author