WARREN, Ohio - Warren city leaders will weigh the wants of the people while deciding how the city will spend its $28 million in American Rescue Funds.

The city held a meeting Monday evening to go over the results of a survey conducted by the Economic Action Group. The city of Youngstown also used the company to round up opinions on how to best allocate federal funds.

A total of 1,258 people responded to Warren's final survey, with the majority asking for improvements to citywide infrastructure and a stronger sense of community.

Infrastructure improvements to the city's sewers and water lines topped the list, followed by community services, housing for homeless, rehab services, community facilities and economic development.

Trumbull County has $38 million to spend.

Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa's proposal focuses heavily on infrastructure.

Here's a breakdown of the proposal:

Infrastructure  $20 million
Stabilization   $4 million
Preparation    $1 million
Recovery        $4 million- $2 million for small businesses, $2 million for non-profits
Mobility          $3 million
Collaboration $4 million

The $20 million for infrastructure would help cover 20 shovel-ready sanity sewer and water projects. Then Cantalamessa says he'd like to allocate $5 million to expand broadband internet.

"It comes down to affordability and accessibility, so the accessibility of it in the northern township's is sparce," he said.

Internet connection issues were exposed during the pandemic. Right now the county is working on some private and public partnerships to install towers and fiberoptic lines in different townships including Vernon, Mesopotamia, Green, Brookfield and Masury.

The Golden Triangle is one of the areas where he says the county needs to make millions in infrastructure improvements.

"We're trying to modernize the infrastructure there, we're trying to not only retain businesses, but attract new businesses to that area," Cantalamessa explained.

The Golden Triangle spans between Warren and Howland Township and is home to over 2,000 workers across about 30 companies.

If the proposal is approved, $2 million dollar grant and loan program would help struggling small businesses. As some are now dealing with staffing shortages and inflation.

"As food costs are going up, that's been an issue," Clint Elston said, owner of Beautiful Whirl'd in downtown Warren.