American Rescue Plan will make a big impact in Norwich By Mayor Peter Nystrom

The past nineteen months have been immeasurably difficult for every facet of day-to-day life in Norwich, our state and across the nation. Every family and business has struggled in some way to get through one of the biggest challenges that the United States has ever faced.

But America also has a tradition of fighting back whenever our spirit and our will is tested. And the American Rescue Plan, which is providing billions of dollars to cities and states across the country, will be an important part of our inevitable recovery.

I have always believed that government works best when it is bi-partisan. The American Rescue Plan, which passed Congress with the support of Republicans and Democrats alike, provides $350 billion in funding for state, local, territorial and tribal governments to help them recover from the impact of rising costs and decreasing revenues.

The City of Norwich will receive more than $14 million in funding through this program, and over the past several weeks, the City Council has discussed how to best distribute these funds to make the biggest impact in our community.

A number of programs and agencies will receive funding through the American Rescue Plan to help residents of Norwich in a variety of ways, including:

• $2.23 million for Norwich Human Services to provide support for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance as well as mental health support, and employment training.
• $1.2 million to address properties that have been acquired by the City so they can be rehabilitated – by local contractors – and provide safe and healthy housing for families in Norwich.
• $500,000 to support arts and cultural programs that are such an important part of our community.
• $300,000 for the Norwich Police Department for programs to reduce gun violence in Norwich.
• $50,000 to the Otis Library to expand the many services they provide.
• $500,000 for a range of neighborhood revitalization programs.
• $150,000 for the Uncas Health District for support the public health needs in our community.
• $800,000 so that our public schools can be used more effectively as community centers.
• $200,000 for improvements at Mohegan Park that will benefit families and children.

The second round of funding through the American Rescue Plan will be allocated by the City in 2022 and I am hopeful that we will continue to make the types of investments that will be part of the renewal of our great city.

America and the City of Norwich will recover from the pandemic. It is only a matter of time – and all of us continuing to work together.