The funds will go toward four projects aimed at health, workforce development and economic mobility.
Two of the four organizations that received funding include Amplify GR, which received $4 million, for the Boston Square Community Hub and the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute received $1 million for a project that will address the disparate impacts of sickle cell disease on Kent County’s Black community.
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation are the other two organizations to receive funds which will be used to help communities with economic and workforce development.
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan was awarded $2 million and the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation was awarded $1 million.
Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek said the goal for commissioners was to identify community driven initiatives that had intent, purpose and vision.
"Both I and the democratic caucus leaders, I think we’re both relieved and excited to see that we were able to come together and land on a mix of projects that we think will be really valuable and make a big difference,” he said.
The four projects are among the 30 total projects the board voted to fund with more than $108 million in federal ARPA funds last December. The county received $127.6 million in ARPA funds.
County officials say remaining funds will be placed in a contingency fund for unanticipated needs or new, or increased expenses to complete a funded proposal.