American Rescue Plan

More than $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds is being offered to St. Louis nonprofits.

Bills passed included an experimental guaranteed basic income program, changes to development incentives and spending millions in federal COVID relief money.

An urban farming organization received $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support urban farmers in north St. Louis County and address accessibility to healthy food.

The center is funded by federal COVID relief money.

About 440 eligible families will receive $500 a month for 18 months with no strings attached.

The proposal from Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard of the 26th Ward would direct $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward monthly payments for eligible residents. Details are still being worked out.

The St. Louis County Council approved spending all but $600,000 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The city of Independence, Missouri, spent $2 million of its ARPA funding on the police department, more than it allocated to any other department or project. The purchases were labeled as “community violence intervention” in its report to the U.S. Treasury.

More than 9,100 households in the city received $500 in direct cash assistance as of Aug. 19. Top uses for the funds include food, utilities and gas.

The agency’s budget boosts spending by more than 40% compared to last year. The largest increases are in personnel and consulting contracts.