It’s been more than three years now since COVID-19 ground everything to a halt.
Part of the government response to the pandemic were several massive spending measures – including the Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security – or CARES – Act. There was also the American Rescue Plan, also known as ARPA.
Much of that money flowed straight to state and local governments – in many cases to do with what they thought best. Local governments and planners have called it the new deal of our generation.
We’ll be taking a look at what Virginia has done with the funds – starting in Roanoke.
We’re going to learn a bit about what’s possible when local governments feel flush with cash. And we’re going to start in Northwest Roanoke, where the city chose to invest $10 million of ARPA funding to help build a grocery store. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.
Virginia Public Radio 