SE North Carolina News

City of Wilmington issued the following announcement on Nov. 4.

Wilmington City Council unanimously voted to fund three local organizations with American Rescue Plan Act dollars as part of its commitment to allocate $9 million of ARPA funding to economic and community assistance.

During the Nov. 3 meeting, Council approved:

• $400,00 to Film Partnership of NC for workforce training and development in the film industry
• $125,000 to Northside Food Co-Op to aid its effort of ending food insecurity
• $100,000 to Coastal Horizons to combat substance abuse disorder

All awards are given in accordance with U.S. Treasury ARP guidance and NC General Statute authorization. The City of Wilmington received an approximately $26 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law March 11, 2021. The money will be disbursed to the city through two installments of approximately $13 million in the next two years. The funds must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024. The city received the first installment of $13 million earlier this year.

About training the film workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the employment market. With record film productions happening in Wilmington, the need for employees in various areas of production is in high demand. The Film Partnership of NC will administer the $400,000 for a new and specific job training program. This initiative will provide workforce training to community members and help them attain the skills necessary to fill the job gaps. The funds will be used to train a minimum of 90 pupils for an average of 5 weeks on the job, with a focus in historically underserved communities, for regional production positions related to the film and entertainment industries. The program will pay $15 an hour and can include up to 10 hours of overtime paid at $22 per hour. These resources will not only fund the 90 person trainings but also serve as a likely catalyst for additional public and private resource investments.

About the effort to end food insecurity

The City of Wilmington actively works with community members to improve access to affordable and nutritious foods in portions of the community identified as food deserts. The USDA designation considers the type and quality of food available to the population, in addition to the accessibility of the food through the size and proximity of the food stores. The Northside Food Co-op will utilize the $125,000 to assist with its current operations and activities geared towards ending the food desert in downtown Wilmington.

About combatting substance abuse disorder

Coastal Horizons, an area mental health provider, will receive $100,000 to fund a temporary expansion of an on-going innovative overdose reduction and treatment program. The Opioid Overdose Quick Response Team (QRT) program has been successful in getting community members who have overdosed, or at risk of overdose, to agree to engage in a treatment program. Mental health professionals have shared data and concern that as a result of the pandemic there is a need to expand the QRT to address substances beyond opioids. The QRT proactively seeks out and engages, primarily, members of the community that have overdosed and refused treatment options presented to them in the immediate aftermath. This engagement is led by professionals with lived experiences and is an on-going effort until the individual either enters into a treatment setting or has a no contact request. The team also engages individuals that have been referred by family members that have expressed concern

Council is expected to vote on additional ARPA allocations in December.

Original source can be found here.