Lancaster City Council awards millions to invest in community

A $5 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to invest in community facilities serving Lancaster City residents has been approved by the Lancaster City Council. 

The investment in 11 projects is aimed at supporting public programs, improving quality of life and public health, creating economic opportunity, and promoting equitable outcomes for residents.    

Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace called the investment an opportunity to make transformational investments in our community facilities that will enhance the quality of life for all residents.

“By leveraging ARPA funds to support these projects, we can create modern, accessible, and inclusive spaces that reflect our values and goals,” Sorace said in a statement.  

Following is a list of the allocations:

• Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster - $600,000 to make improvements to their clubhouse spaces. 
• Bright Side Opportunities Corporation – $500,000 to renovate existing facility. 

• Church World Service - $250,000 to create a welcome center for refugees. 
• Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County - $400,000 to renovate Bridge House and Crispus Attucks Center. 
• Lancaster Public Library - $500,000 for new library construction costs. 
• Lancaster Recreation Commission - $750,000 for facility expansion to serve recreational and childcare needs. 
• SACA Development Corporation (Centro Hispano) - $500,000 for renovations to the Hispanic Community Center to provide human services. 

• SACA Development Corporation (Tec Centro) - $500,000 for renovations to existing facility to provide vocational technical training. 
• South Ann Concerned Neighbors - $250,000 to build a community hub that will include one affordable housing unit. 
• Union Community Care - $500,000 to renovate and expand existing facility to create a dental clinic. 
• Uni-Vision Childcare - $250,000 to renovate existing facility to expand Spanish Immersion Center for early education.

In 2021, $39.5 million in ARPA funding was allotted to the City of Lancaster. Also in 2021, a public engagement process regarding the use of ARPA funds was launched. An interest in improved community services in public health, youth support, parks, and recreation were identified via feed from the community.

In 2022, a $7.4 million allocation of ARPA funds to create and preserve affordable housing was approved by Lancaster City Council.