Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced his first two initiatives when it comes to the spending of $165 million allocated for the city as part of the American Rescue Plan.
The first project is an expansion of the Mayor's Summer Youth Program.
Beginning this year, the program will no longer be limited to just the summer months and stipends for the number of young people enrolled in academic enrichment or coursework catch-up programs will also be expanded.
Appearing at the Northland Workforce Training Center Sunday, Brown noted, "There are approximately 42,000 residents in the City of Buffalo between the ages of 14-21 and as many as 40% of them live in poverty. The goal of this expansion, over the next three years, is to ensure that every young person who wants a job to better prepare for their future will be able to secure one."
Brown also announced the establishment of a scholarship program for city residents who live in low-income communities. The initial allocation of $1 million will support costs both directly and indirectly associated with residents' enrollment in a NWTC based program. Those costs may include tuition, remedial education support, transportation, and childcare.
The Mayor also noted that residents and can offer other spending suggestions and also track the spending of the ARP funds by visiting www.buffalony.gov to find the link to the Transformation Fund page. The public engagement period will be open until July 30th.
