President Mark opened the meeting by welcoming his fellow Rotarians and any guests. That was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Masha Minervini then led the group in singing God Bless America.
Ramona Pleva offered the prayer of St. Francis for our thoughts of gratitude and reflection:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
The Kingsley Trio then helped us say goodbye to summer with a rousing rendition of Margaritaville.
Art Hoffman tried to help introduce visiting Rotarians or any guests, but it was all local members this week.
Jeff Hickman gave an update on Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps and Services. On September 21, the boards for both organizations will meet to select a slate of trustees. Both boards are accepting applications for trustee positions, which are 3-year terms, beginning in October. To be eligible, Rotarians must have been a member of any Rotary club for five years. An email went out last week with the application. Contact Stacey Foster with Rotary Charities (sfoster@rotarycharities.org) with any questions.
It took us two tries to give away the 50/50 proceeds. Paul LaPorte eventually walked away with the winnings.
Warren Call then introduced our program. Matt McCauley is the CEO of Networks Northwest, which is a public agency serving ten counties in Northwest Lower Michigan (an area roughly the size of Connecticut, containing 190 units of government). Their programming focuses on helping our region achieve prosperity.
Matt helped us to better understand the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and its impact on Northern Michigan. The bill passed in March 2021 with a cost of $1.9 Trillion. The highlights from what the bill was designed to do:
-Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease the spread of the virus
-Replace lost revenue for the eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs
-Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses
-Address public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic
The direct assistance to units of government was a change from previous assistance packages.
Key elements of ARPA:
-Expansion of unemployment benefits
-Stimulus checks
-Small business loans
-Child tax credit
-Pandemic response
-Expansion of rural healthcare centers and Affordable Care Act subsidies
-Rental and mortgage assistance
-K-12 school reopening support
-Aid to state and local governments
The aid to state and local governments was a focus of Matt’s presentation. $350 Billion was set aside for this part of ARPA. The State of Michigan’s share of that is $10.3 Billion. Grand Traverse County will receive a total of $18.1 Million, while other local units of government in the county are eligible to receive a total of $9.7 Million.
What Can’t ARPA be used for?
-Pension contributions
-Replenishing budget stabilization fund (rainy day fund)
-Legal settlements
-Outstanding debt
Then what Can ARPA be used for?
-Response to a public health emergency or its negative economic impacts
-Provide premium pay for essential workers, within caps
-Provide government services to the extent of revenue lost
-Make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure
The funds must be obligated by 2024 and spent by 2026.
Matt ended the presentation by giving us some thoughts on the process going forward and the stimulus package’s implication on the national debt.
Warren presented Matt with the certificate for Wheels of Hope, noting the contribution made on Matt’s behalf.
President Mark led the group in reciting the Four-way Test and adjourned the meeting.
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