Debating the source

Story By: Ella Adler, Sacred Spaces Editor
Photos By: Olivia Pelaez

A discussion was held at the Grand Junction City Council meeting on Wednesday about the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds to the Riverside Education Center (REC).

In January of this year, REC representatives submitted an off-cycle request for $300,000 from city funding. According to Joy Hudack, the executive director of the REC, these funds would be used to buy the unit that the organization currently operates out of.

Shortly after making their initial request, REC made a request for ARPA funds, feeling that their mission aligned with the requirements of this type of funding. More money is available through ARPA funds than city funds; ARPA raised their request from $300,000 to $800,000.

According to their website, REC is a non-profit that provides Mesa County students with academic and extracurricular activities outside of normal school hours. In their request, the REC claimed that they are responsive to mental health and, to some extent, homelessness in Grand Junction. These two qualities would qualify the organization for ARPA funds.

“REC is an exceptional organization that it does incredibly meaningful work, I don’t want it [the funding] to come out of ARPA funds,” Mayor Anna Stout says. 

Stout recommends that the funds REC are requesting come from supplemental appropriation and general funds instead of ARPA. Other members of the council disagree with Stout saying that funding REC would be a good use of ARPA funds. 

To examine the urgency of the funds, Council President Abe Herman asked Hudack for a deadline that the organization needs the funds. In response, Hudack says that there is no specific date. However, upon purchasing the unit, the building owner is willing to donate the adjacent property, so opinions are split on when funds will be needed by. The property up for donation has a value of $845,000. 

Council decided to move the issue to a later meeting, allowing new members of the council to make the final decision.