GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The city of Grand Rapids is asking for input on how to invest $2 million back into the community.
The money comes from the federal American Rescue Plan.
The Participatory Budgeting Grand Rapids Committee (PBGR) is overseeing the whole process and will be accepting ideas through May 31.
PBGR wants you to submit your ideas for improving the quality of life in your neighborhood with things like infrastructure, affordable housing, lead paint remediation and education.
There's a survey you can fill out online and multiple ways to submit your ideas.
After all ideas are collected, the committee will narrow them down for a public vote.
After that, the final projects will be presented to the city commission for consideration and approval.
Submitted ideas must fit within one or more of the following categories to be considered and eligible for funding:
- Infrastructure investments related to water, wastewater and broadband
- Evidence-based violence reduction strategies
- Remediation of lead paint or other lead hazards in homes
- Economic and health impacts of COVID-19 (includes assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits)
- Incentive pay to front-line workers
- Investments in housing and re-housing
- Addressing educational disparities
- Investing in healthy childhood environments
You can submit your ideas in one of four ways:
- Completing the PBGR Idea Submission Survey online
- Texting “pb” to 73224
- Calling and providing your idea to 311 or dialing 616.456.3000
- Printing the idea submission survey PDF at PBGR.org , filling it out and returning in-person or via U.S. Mail to the City’s Customer Service Center located at: 300 Monroe Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Multiple ideas may be submitted, but each should be submitted on a separate form and returned.
