Coweta nonprofits use ARPA money to aid community | News

The local nonprofits that received the money are as follows:

Meals on Wheels of Coweta Inc. received $280,647 to expand its number of clients.

The Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce received two sets of funds. The first, worth $365,684, was to implement job training programs for underemployed and unemployed individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The second, worth $496,144, was given to aid small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic to enhance their digital capabilities.

One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach, which also received two awards of funds. The first, worth $27,500, was intended to pay for mental health services. The second, worth $50,000, was to pay for transportation to health care and other necessary appointments.

The Pathways Center received $200,000 to pay for mental health services from Oct. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2024. The services will be used for patients whose outstanding balances put them at risk of being denied care.

The Coweta Community Foundation received $120,000 for utility assistance for low or moderate-income residents.

Federal regulations for the ARPA funds state that the money must be earmarked by Dec. 31, 2024 and spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

To expand its client base, Meals on Wheels used its funds to add a large outdoor freezer to its facility, which allows for more food storage. The extra resources on-site enabled the nonprofit to deliver approximately an additional 2,000 meals each month.

MOW’s Executive Director Lizabeth Andrews said the nonprofit delivers almost 6,000 monthly meals to its 240 clients.

“Storage is always a big issue…