Print
Government

City Plan For Federal Recovery Money Includes Convention Center Fund

By Cece Nunn, posted Jun 15, 2021
The Wilmington Convention Center has experienced revenue losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo)
A Wilmington Convention Center fund could be one of the recipients of federal money allocated to the city as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, according to the Wilmington City Council’s agenda for tonight’s meeting.

In total, the city is receiving nearly $26 million from the COVID-19 economic recovery legislation; almost $13 million hit the city’s bank account June 1, and the second payment of an equal amount is expected to come in May next year.

An ordinance up for consideration during the meeting, which starts at 6:30 tonight at the convention center, appropriates $7.3 million to the convention center fund and $300,000 to the city’s parking facilities fund.

Recommendations for the ARPA money include covering expenses related to the city’s calculated revenue loss for the convention center and parking fund, the ARPA agenda document states.

“The city established a working committee of nine executive staff members that brought a funding plan recommendation to City Council that meets the allowable uses established by the Act to respond to the public health emergency and its negative economic impacts,” according to the document.

Other recommendation areas for the funding described in the document are: 
  • Economic and Community Assistance – to include assistance to small business and entrepreneurial opportunities, tourism, housing, nonprofit, substance abuse and mental health aid;
  • City and Community Infrastructure – to include facility improvements for health and safety, stormwater improvements and technology upgrades assisting with the digital divide; and
  • City Response and Recovery (in addition to the convention center and parking fund) – to include continued response to the pandemic through cleaning services, PPE, sick leave for positive employees, premium pay for frontline essential employees, administration and funding in reserve for other council and community priorities that may arise in the near future.
The money has to be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and all projects completed by December 2026, according to the agenda document. 

“The U.S. Treasury is taking comments on the interim guidance through July 16, 2021 and
further guidance on allowable uses will be released following the comment period,” the document states. “The City staff will continue working with the recommended plan to establish the format in how these funds will be delivered to provide assistance within the community.”

Efforts to reach a city official for more details on the convention center appropriation were not immediately successful Tuesday.

More events have been returning to the facility and more are expected to be booked after state rules limiting gatherings and other pandemic precautions were lifted.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Chris coudriet

A Public Service Profile on Creating Beauty in Our Community

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government
Chris 16239425

‘Creative,’ An Adjective To Describe Your Accountant?!

Chris Capone - Capone & Associates
Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

The Latest Solar Scams and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Expanding Tastes On Castle Street

As John Willse and Beth Guertin, owners of Wilmington Wine bottle shop and now the recently opened Creative Tastings restaurant on Castle St...


Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....


Park Progress

The planning for Pender Commerce Park began in the early 2000s when the county wanted to create an economic driver on its largely rural west...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments