Local nonprofits receive just over $900,000 in federal pandemic relief funding from the city, county

The exterior of The Commons with the Bartholomew County Courthouse pictured in the background in downtown Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mike Wolanin | The Republic

By Andy East and Mark Webber

The Republic, Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Twelve local nonprofits that applied for federal COVID-19 revenue replacement funds through the Bartholomew County and Columbus city governments will collectively receive nearly $905,000.

The Columbus Board of Public Workers approved allocating $557,397 to nine local nonprofits Tuesday from federal economic stimulus funding that the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act. The green light from city officials came one day after the Bartholomew County commissioners approved sending $347,500 to 10 local nonprofits.

Federal regulations allow local governments to assist nonprofits who suffered revenue loss due to the virus with money obtained through the ARPA, county Auditor Pia O’Conner said.

Elected officials from the county and city governments collaborated and decided which organizations would get funds, said Robin Hilber, Columbus assistant director of community development, who was involved with the effort.

The officials included O’Conner and Bartholomew County Commissioner Tony London, as well as Columbus City Council members Elaine Hilber, Grace Kestler and Frank Miller. Applications were due Sept. 30.

The money being allocated to the nonprofits will come from $8 million in ARPA funds that the county received last spring and $4.2 million that the city received, officials said.

“We wanted to make sure we were getting the biggest bang for the buck,” London said. “We wanted to make sure these organizations were supported the best we could with these funds.”

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Republic.