Rock County Board gives $1.1 million in ARPA funds to local groups

JANESVILLE — The Rock County Board on Thursday night voted to allocate a total of $1.1 million in COVID relief funds to a host of local recipients.

Those receiving the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds included victims of a tornado in February in the Evansville area, the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville, Community Health Systems in Beloit, YWCA Rock County’s childcare program and KANDU Industries.

The county board voted to allocate $625,000 to victims of the tornado, and about $98,500 to each of the other organizations.

The vote to give the funds to the Boys & Girls Club was unanimous. Supervisor Mark Bobzien voted “no” on funds for tornado victims. Supervisor Christine Fugelseth voted “no” on funds for Community Health Systems and KANDU. Supervisor Kevin Stone voted “no” on funds for the YWCA.

The county must earmark its ARPA allocations by Dec. 31 or it will have to repay those funds to the federal government.

Representatives of three of the organizations testified before the county board in July, as to why they were applying for funding.

“KANDU helps more than 200 clients with disabilities and gives them a chance to learn, find acceptance, purpose and thrive among their peers,” KANDU Executive Director Kathy Hansen told the board in July, adding that, “through the years, we’ve developed new programs based on the needs of our community. We have evolved with techniques that help the people that we serve. We have partnered with Rock County on the majority of our programs, if not all of them.”

Boys & Girls Club of Janesville board member Steve Schumacher said in July that there has been a rise in poverty among the children they serve.

“The Boys & Girls Club has so many different programs that we serve these kids,” he said, and it’s just a safe place, offering homework help and mentors.

Other supporters of each organization and victims of the tornado came forward Thursday night to share their gratitude for the funds.

Britney de la O, director of donors engagement and grant for the YWCA in Janesville, said she is grateful for the assistance offered to the YWCA. She said finding affordable child care is becoming harder in Rock County.

Cathy Wagner said the February tornado left her with $120,000 in damages to her home with an insurance payout that only covered $52,000 of that. She said anything that the county can do to help, she appreciates.

Sophie Bell, 12, spoke to how much the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville has impacted her. She said it’s a positive place where she gets homework help and learns how to be a good friend.

She said she is looking forward to moving into a planned new building where teens have their own space.