AMHERST — More details about how to spend the remaining $4.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act money Amherst has available are expected to be presented to the Town Council on Monday.

Town Manager Paul Bockelman said this week that he anticipates an update will be provided to councilors about the money that still needs to be spent, including $2.8 million that was not previously committed and $2.1 million not spent from earlier projects.

The Town Council must obligate the remaining money by Dec. 31, 2024, and have it spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

Specific requests have been coming from various organizations and businesses in town that could be supported with the money. Among those organizations that may be seeking money are Amherst Media, the Hospice of the Fisher Home and the Black Business Association of Amherst, Bockelman said.

There also have been conversations about directing money toward infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks, installing solar canopies over the parking lot at the high school and upgrading the senior center kitchen and activity space at the Bangs Community Center.

The business association at a Town Council meeting last month asked for $300,000, with the money to be divided equally between the business association and Hazel’s Blue Lagoon, a Black-owned nightclub in downtown that didn’t previously get ARPA economic development money

Since that meeting, in which representatives from the business association spoke and outlined concerns about equitable distribution of ARPA money, they have met with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern at BakuCare Adult Day Health in Hadley, which is operated by Pat Ononibaku.

Ononibaku, the business association president, said the meeting was set up following a request from member Edward Cage, who had earlier met McGovern during an event with constituents in Amherst. Among those attending were At Large Councilor Ellisha Walker.

“We are thrilled Congressman McGovern accepted our invitation to meet and to listen to the real economic hardships BBAAA members are facing as we seek his advocacy for earmarks and grants for the group,” Ononibaku said in a statement.

Ononibaku contends that Black-owned  businesses have been shortchanged.

“Direct payments were made to individuals and support for businesses, as well as to state and local governments. The town of Amherst received $11.9 million, but none of these funds thus far have benefited any existing Black-owned businesses,” she said.

Town officials have disputed this, noting that 55% of small business grants have gone to Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) businesses and that two Black-owned businesses, White Lion and Carefree Cakery, are both able to launch in town based on the financial support they have received.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.

 

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