Toledo Recovery Plan Announcement

There will be six public meetings – five in person and one virtual – and a widely distributed survey to solicit input from Toledoans on how to direct the city’s $180.9 million American Rescue Plan Act funding, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and members of Toledo City Council announced today during a news conference in front of One Government Center.

“Toledo is receiving $180.9 million from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act, and all Toledoans will be asked to share their thoughts on how that money should be spent under our local program – the Toledo Recovery Plan,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “We have a great opportunity to make infrastructure improvements, including a lead line replacement program, and we are eager to hear creative ideas from the public as we go through this process.”

“The American Rescue Plan Act is funding for local and state governments to directly confront problems caused by or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the mayor said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in our community and that is why it is so important we get feedback and input.”

The public meetings will be held as follows:

Thursday, July 22, 6 p.m. at Rogers High School, 222 McTigue Dr.
Wednesday, August 4, 12 p.m. at this link: https://toledo-oh-gov.zoom.us/j/87095154054
Tuesday, August 10, 6 p.m. at Whitmer High School, 5601 Clegg Dr.
Tuesday, August 17, 6 p.m. at the Toledo Lucas Public Library - Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St.
Tuesday, August 24, 6 p.m. at Waite High School, 301 Morrison Dr.
Tuesday, August 31, 6 p.m. at Scott High School, 2400 Collingwood Blvd.

The survey and more information is posted at toledo.oh.gov/recovery. The public may also email ideas to recovery@toledo.oh.gov.

Of the $180,948,591 allocated to Toledo, a first round of $90,474,295.50 was received in May 2021. The second round of $90,474,295.50 can be applied for in May 2022. The funds can be obligated beginning March 3, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2024. The funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

“I’m so pleased of the commitment by the administration and the entirety of Toledo City Council to ensure public input and community meetings, in addition to using my SMART analysis to evaluate ARPA spending through the lenses of economic sustainability, accountability, and return on investment, so Toledo will recover from the pandemic stronger and build a better future,” Councilwoman Katie Moline said.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. For the United States government to invest $180.9 million in Toledo, Ohio could seem unreal, but it is as real as the nose on my face,” Toledo Councilmember Vanice S. Williams said. “Now, we must work together to build a plan to focus on the magnitude this has for our city. One thing I always say is ‘don’t do anything for me without me.’ The scheduled public meetings are important for the input of all residents to be considered in how this money is spent. To all residents in District 4, I urge and implore you to come out, do the survey, give voice to our needs. This is an opportunity to help what COVID-19 only intensified and highlighted in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. This will not fix everything, but it most definitely can be the boost we need.”

“Toledo’s future is brighter because of community involvement, and it is critically important we hear from residents and business owners about how we spend these dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Toledo Councilmember Sam Melden said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to invest in our city.”

Mayor Kapszukiewicz and Toledo City Council have created a Toledo Recovery Plan taskforce to ensure that the needs of Toledo, its businesses and residents, are met with American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The city has focused on five areas of investment in the Toledo Recovery Plan:

youth, recreation, and parks
safe and livable neighborhoods
job creation and economic development
green and healthy housing
avoiding cuts to city services

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