City of La Crosse receives $11 million in federal dollars, money the mayor wants to give away
La Crosse will receive its second round of federal money — another roughly $11 million — in about a year
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT)- The city of La Crosse just received millions of dollars, and Mayor Mitch Reynolds wants to give it away.
The city is sitting on $11 million — the first of two, roughly equal payments from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. Cities can use the money to cover pandemic-related expenses, invest in water and broadband infrastructure, and financially help businesses, nonprofits, and families.
Reynolds says he’s giving people priority. “That’s the goal for me, to really direct funding to those people who have for whatever reason have gotten all the way to the edge, the tipping point because of the pandemic,” says Reynolds.
The newly elected mayor plans to set up an online portal where people, business owners and nonprofits can make a request. The mayor will decide how to help with some input from the community and his staff.
“I’ve got 53 committees at city hall right now,” he said. “If I can’t figure something out with 53 committees there is something wrong with me. I just want people to come and tell me. Call me up and tell me what we need.”
This is a first-of-its-kind program. Reynolds and his staff are working out the details. Information will be available online soon. The mayor’s goal is to starting getting money into peoples’ hands as soon as the end of this month.
La Crosse will receive its second round of federal money — another roughly $11 million — about a year from now.
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