Beneficiaries worry funding won’t last

Columbia is going through major changes as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a bill worth a total of $787 billion.

Columbia has already been allocated more than $38 million in federal grants to help beautify and improve the city in numerous areas, with grants worth $83 million still pending.
The Columbia Police Department was given $2.8 million through the Cops Hiring Grant last July. In order to receive the money, the police department had to supply an application covering crime rate, how well police interacted with the community and extent of financial need.

“We had to put the language in there and say ‘yes, we have a crime rate,’ that’s something you can’t hide,” Chief of Police T.P Carter said.

With the money received through the Cops Hiring Grant, the police department will be able to hire 18 new officers. The money will pay the full salaries and benefits of these officers for 36 months, after which the city will be obligated to pay an additional 12 months. With the new additions to the force, Carter believes the grant will help the city as a whole.
“It allows us to put more boots on the ground and more eyeballs in the city to protect citizens as well as we can,” Carter said.

Will the department be able to sustain their new employment after the four years is up?
“I’m hoping that there is enough money,” Carter said. “Nobody really knows how the economy will be in four years. As the city grows, the police force will grow as well. I’m assuming it will take care of itself.”

Columbia was awarded $9 million through the Columbia Area Transportation Study formula grant for the improvement of North Main Street. Phase 1A, which stretched from Elmwood to Anthony Avenue is almost complete.

Phase 1B will take place between Fuller Avenue and Fairfield Road. Projects are set to include intersection improvement, water and sewer replacement and new sidewalk and pedestrian crossings. Plans for the beautification of the street include landscaping, decorative lighting and new benches and bus stop signs.

“We will use all of the stimulus money,” said assistant city engineer for construction, Dana Higgins. “The city is moving forward with designs for shovel-ready projects and working with contractors so we’ll be ready for that next wave of money."

The City of Columbia was also allocated $524,000 for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). The funds will be used for rapid re-housing activities such as rent payments and security deposits. Money will also go towards homeless prevention activities such as case management and legal support when dealing with possible foreclosures. 

“This provides families with the ability to stay in housing rather than become homeless,” said Community Development Administrator, Eric Cassell.

But after the stimulus funds run out, Cassell said that the HPRP will not be able to sustain itself once the money is gone.