Putnam County officials have earmarked projects to receive funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, federal monies that went to local governments out of the Covid pandemic.

In all, Putnam County will receive nearly $7.3 million.  Of that, so far, $2.5 million will go to the South 43 Water Corporation with $2 million for another water project with Reelsville Water Corporation.  Also, Russellville will use $200, 000 for a new water tower.

Over a half-million is set to go to Clear Creek Conservancy / Heritage Lake to upgrade sewer facilities.

Putnam County Council President Dave Fuhrman says federal government guidelines for dealing with the money have shifted before and that makes it more challenging.

Fuhrman feels confident that larger infrastructure projects such as those mentioned will fit within the guidelines set by the federal government.  But, those have shifted before.  The guidelines as they pertain to some of the other monies, remain a little fuzzier.  And that makes the work of county officials more difficult.

And Fuhrman notes that Putnam County still has funds to arrange from the state’s READI program.

Back to ARPA, allocations have also been initially set for:

$150, 000

Beyond Homeless                 

men’s and women’s shelters in the county

Over $420, 000          

Putnam Co. Health Dept       

mobile vaccination unit 

$240, 000                   

Premium pay for county essential workers during the pandemic