By Jim Newell

Review Editor

The Village of Lake Orion is getting more than $300,000 from the federal government for coronavirus pandemic relief, and those funds will likely be used for infrastructure projects within the village.

Lake Orion was awarded $333,788 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF).

The village has already received the first installment of $166,894, said village Manager Joe Young, and will receive another $166,894 in October 2022.

The village was notified of the award in a letter from the Department of Treasury dated Sept. 7, 2021.

The village was considered a Non-Entitlement Unit (NEU) of Local Government and submitted a request for the funds.

Some additional potential good news, according to the letter from the Treasury Department, is that if other NEUs return some, or all, of their funds, the award amount may be increased for other NEUs that want the funds.

Young said the village council could make the final determination on how to spend the funds, but for now the first payment has been deposited into the water and sewer fund.

Young added that there were several projects – such as engineering for repairing the lift stations, and phases three and four of the water main replacement project – were still on the village dockets.

“I’m trying to see if we can leverage our funds and maybe get some grant dollars,” Young said, adding that the village would “like to get a handle on the actual costs” of construction and engineering for its upcoming projects. Construction costs have dramatically increased and supply chains have been strained during the pandemic.

For some local government projects, the state or federal government will give an improvement grant to a local unit of government, such as the village, but the village may be required to match all or a portion of the grant.

Replacing the lift stations could cost up to $4 million, Young said. “$166,000 compared to $4 million – we’re a little bit short.”

“The county boards are still trying to lobby with the state to help meet the needs of smaller communities that need help,” Young said.

As a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund recipient, the village will have to meet federal compliance and reporting responsibilities, such as submitting the first planned project and expenditure report. That deadline has been extended from Oct. 31, 2021 until 2022 while the federal government provides clarification on the process.