How Should the City of Buffalo Spend Its Stimulus Money?

The Federal Government has taken quite a few steps to help people and local governments recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic. From the CARES Act to the American Rescue Plan, hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing from Congress to people, school districts, and local governments.

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Just a few weeks ago, the Buffalo Public School district received a large stimulus payment from the Federal Government and asked for suggestions on how to spend it. Now, the City of Buffalo has just received its first stimulus payment and is doing the same thing, looking for suggestions on how to spend the funds.

According to a report by WKBW-TV, the City of Buffalo is due to receive approximately $331 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds and has just collected just about 1/2 of those funds, around $166 Million. The rest of the money should be received sometime next year.

The American Rescue Plan will change the course of the pandemic and deliver immediate and direct relief to families and workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis through no fault of their own. This law is one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history, and will build a bridge to an equitable economic recovery.
-The United States Department of the Treasury

About $50 Million of the funds have already been allocated to go into the City's budget to reduce a deficit that officials say was caused by COVID-19. For the rest of the funds, about $115 Million, the City of Buffalo is open to suggestions on how those funds should be sent.

Officials have said they will be coming out with a process very soon for people to give their opinion on how the money should be used.

How do you think Buffalo should spend its American Rescue Plan funds?