ICYMI - Administrator's Digest - August 23

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 08/30/2022 09:20 AM EDT

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Greetings from the Administrator

Ottawa County recently received the results of a public survey from residents on the top priorities facing Ottawa County, as the County considers how best to use the almost $57 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that it has received. Over 2,200 people responded to the survey. View the results. Some of the top priorities that were identified included providing more affordable housing and expanding broadband coverage in certain areas of the County. With this in mind, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will consider approving using ARPA funds to pay for a portion of the cost for two affordable-housing projects and one broadband project.

One such affordable-housing project would be located in the City of Holland and result in the construction of 46 units for residents that meet certain income requirements. The County would use its ARPA funds to provide $2 million in gap financing for this $14.3 million project. The second project would be located in the Village of Spring Lake and result in the construction of 53 units, including 8 units for those with special needs or disabilities. The County would use its ARPA funds to provide $1.5 million in gap financing for this $15.1 million project. Both the City of Holland and the Village of Spring Lake support these projects.

The Board of Commissioners will also consider entering into a contract with GrayBar, Inc. for approximately $47,000 to provide pre-engineering work to provide cost estimates on installing “middle mile” infrastructure in areas of the County that lack broadband service. The internet service providers could then connect their equipment to this infrastructure in order to provide broadband service to residents.

More details about these projects are available in the Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda.

John Shay | County Administrator

Boards, Commissions and Committee Vacancies

Are you interested in serving your community through local government? The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is always seeking residents to serve on its boards, commissions and committees. View the current vacancies and apply online.

Tickets Now Available: Farms are the Tapas 2022

Help protect Ottawa County farms - join us for Farms are the Tapas in September!

  • Thursday, September 29
  • 6 PM – 8 PM
  • The Red Shed, 5301 Barry Street, Hudsonville
  • Buy tickets

Enjoy locally sourced signature tapas dishes created by chefs from area restaurants competing to win the coveted Harvest Knife Award! Competing restaurants include: The Farmhouse, The Beard & The Gal, Field & Fire Bakery & Cafe, Holy Smokers Award Winning BBQ, StrEats Taco Kitchen, Sandy Point Beach House.

Guests will have an opportunity to taste tapas; vote on their favorite dish; and virtually bid on silent auction items – all while supporting farmland preservation!

With the help from attendees and our sponsors in 2021, over $17,900 was raised to help stem the loss of precious farmland in Ottawa County. These funds are essential for the program to carry out its purpose – protecting the land upon which we grow our food.

Many thanks to the event sponsors.

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