LUBBOCK, Texas — In 2021, Lubbock County and the City of Lubbock was given a total of about $118 million as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The federal money was meant to help with the impact COVID-19 had on public health and the economy.
Lubbock County received over $60 million, and the City of Lubbock received about $58 million to spend. EverythingLubbock.com spoke with city and county officials Wednesday about what they decided to spend the money on.
“You can always spend those dollars once so let’s start slow,” City Manager, Jarrett Atkinson said.
The main focus of city and county officials was to spend the money right.
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“What we were doing was looking at things that not only would help us in the present, but that would set us up for the future as well,” Lubbock County Judge Parrish said.
According to Parrish and Atkinson, the city and county both put large sums toward small businesses and nonprofits that struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic.