Saginaw Invests $10 Million in Youth Development

The Saginaw City Council set aside $10 million for youth development in the city during a special meeting on Monday.

The money comes from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and is being set aside for capital improvements on community centers, after-school programs, and other initiatives.

The council did not choose specific projects to be funded during the meeting, instead opting to have a smaller committee pick out projects to be prioritized.

“There’s been discussion and conversation about matrices and how to determine who gets that [funding],” said Council Member Reggie Williams, who proposed the allocation. “It should not take that long, and I say that simply because we do already have historical entities in this community.”

Williams will join Council Member Monique Lamar-Silvia and newly-elected Council Member Priscilla Garcia, along with members of city staff and other advisors to put together a list of projects to be brought before city council in January. Williams says he’ll be prioritizing organizations that are willing to collaborate with others on youth development initiatives.

After 6 months, the City will review those investments to make sure that the ARPA funds are being spent properly, and, if necessary, reallocate them.