October 18th, 2021
County Executive Adam Bello, along with community leaders, Congressman Joe Morelle and representatives for Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the launch of a robust public outreach effort for Bring Monroe Back, Monroe County’s Recovery Agenda. Bring Monroe Back is a plan to invest $144 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds received from the federal government. Bello also announced the launch of Plan Forward, Monroe County’s first Comprehensive Plan in 40 years.
“These funds provide us with an incredible opportunity that we’re calling Bring Monroe Back. Concurrently, we are engaged in Monroe County’s first Comprehensive Plan since the 1970s, named Plan Forward,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Bring Monroe Back with the ARPA funds and Plan Forward with a comprehensive plan. In our bicentennial year, what better way to plan for our next 200 years?”
Taken together, Bring Monroe Back and Plan Forward will serve as the blueprint for Monroe County’s immediate recovery and long-term strategic direction. Plan Forward will use the data gathered from public outreach related to ARPA, and build upon it to steer Monroe County to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Bring Monroe Back does not start from zero, rather it builds on the hard work, community and government led plans, assessments, and reports that have already engaged our citizens, business owners, and experts in their field. From these 12 documents, we were able to identify six priority focus areas where we would invest our ARPA dollars: Public Safety, Public Health and Wellness, Economic Recovery, Workforce Development, Infrastructure Improvements, and Sustainability.
The community is invited to help Monroe County prioritize spending. ARPA public feedback is schedule as follows:
- In person and virtual community hearings scheduled for:
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Lodge – Greece Canal Park (241 Elmgrove Road, 14626)
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Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School (501 Genesee Street, 4611)
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Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand View Lodge – Powder Mills Park (154 Park Road, 14534)
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Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from noon to 1:30 p.m. a virtual forum held via Zoom. Participants should email [email protected] for the link.
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- A community wide survey available at www.monroecounty.gov/BringMonroeBack or request hard copies of the survey for your group or organization by contacting [email protected]. Hard copies will also be available in public locations.
- Direct written testimony from community organizations, who can request a Community Organization Statement Form by contacting [email protected].
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “Our counties are on the front line to deliver vital services through the pandemic to not only help our local towns, residents, and businesses weather the pandemic, but to also provide lasting investments to build back better. That’s why as a chief negotiator of the American Rescue Plan, I secured an unprecedented $144 million for Monroe County to fund needed and lasting communities benefits. As these funds are designed with the needs of the entire community in mind, I commend County Executive Adam Bello for his leadership in bringing the public into the process, and I look forward to seeing the innovate strategies developed to ensure Monroe County’s long-term success.”
“I am thrilled to announce that Monroe County has this unique opportunity to use $144 million in ARP funding to Bring Monroe Back. This is exactly why I fought alongside my colleagues in Congress to secure historic investments for New York in the American Rescue Plan – investing and planning for the future of New York will start at the grassroots level. It is my hope these dollars will be used to uplift the greater community and help rebuild Monroe’s regional economy,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an historic opportunity to revitalize our entire community and make the types of long-term investments our families deserve,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I was proud to deliver over $144 million in funding to Monroe County through the American Rescue Plan, and it’s critical that the community is directly involved in the process of determining how best to allocate these funds. I’m grateful to County Executive Bello for his leadership and dedication to facilitating a collaborative process that will strengthen our recovery and truly Bring Monroe Back stronger than ever.”
Public feedback will be accepted through December 31, 2021.
