CLEVELAND – White County is expected to receive almost $6 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government and Tuesday the county board of commissioners designated a project that will utilize those funds.
The federal government has strict guidelines on how those funds can be used.
The commissioners have decided to use the money to construct two facilities that can be used to meet such needs as a pandemic. Commission Chairman Travis Turner said they have known for some time that they could use a multi-purpose facility to meet those types of needs.
He said these buildings will be “Utilized for the support of public health, to be a mass care facility and preparation and response [site] for future hazards or pandemics that have been identified within the county’s emergency plan through our emergency management department under Director Murphy’s lead. This facility could also conduct emergency distributions, possible mass evacuations, act as a storm shelter, as well as being used for other situations that are designated for the wellbeing of White County,” said Turner.
Turner added that the county has been “blessed” to have a relationship with Bridge Church. which has served as a mass vaccination site. However, he added, it would be better for the county to have its own facility to serve the public.
According to Interim County Manager Shanda Murphy, White County is designated to receive $5,982,150 in federal relief funding. Half that money has already been received, the other half should come next year.
The proposed buildings will be located within the Yonah Preserve area north of Cleveland.
