WARREN, Ohio -

 Warren is opening up its application process for it's ARP or American Rescue Plan dollars for non-profit organizations, businesses and neighborhood associations that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Some of it's $25 million will be used to help First Responders, police, fire and EMS, departments forced to increase overtime budgets during the pandemic.

 

But the city is opening up the eligibility to a larger pool of applicants including for economic development. 

 

Mayor Doug Franklin said, "We want to extend our application process to non-profits, businesses, organizations, neighborhood associations, so we can increase the pool of applicants and make sure our spending plan is a truly community based plan."

 

The application can be found at the City of Warren Ohio website. Under Featured, click on ARP Project Proposal Form, read and pay attention to the Granting Priorities, to check out qualifications, complete the forms, and submit. 

 

"Most groups will have to show a direct effect of the COVID-19 virus on their business or on their proposal, whether it's making us a healthier community, providing youth services or have some connection with how the pandemic effected their organization in our community," Franklin added.

 

Council persons hope qualified non-profit organizations businesses, and neighborhood associations take advantage of this opportunity to apply.

 

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 29, 2022.

 

Applications will be ranked in the order of impact, how they meet the guidelines and the city's ability to fund the requests.