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.

All this week we’ll be taking a look at what Virginia has done with the funds – starting in Roanoke, as Mallory Noe-Payne reports.