Mayor Broome Secures additional American Rescue Plan Funds for East Baton Rouge Parish

Baton Rouge, La. - August 10, 2022 - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome received the unanimous support of the Metropolitan Council this evening for her proposal to use approximately $48 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds for additional public safety and infrastructure initiatives in East Baton Rouge Parish.

"The American Rescue Plan has provided East Baton Rouge Parish with an unprecedented opportunity to invest in our community. Throughout the various phases of funding, we have prioritized our greatest needs: drainage, public safety, infrastructure and increased efficiency of City-Parish," said Mayor Broome.

Some of the initiatives approved include:

1. $16.3 million for facility improvements to the Public Safety Complex, Parish Prison, Department of Health and Human Services, Human Resources, Juvenile Services and the construction of a new sub-station for the EBR Sheriff in the Glen Oaks area.
2. $8 million for the Choice Neighborhoods project to transform the Ardenwood public housing development and surrounding East Fairfield, Smiley Heights and Melrose East neighborhoods.
3. $1.7 million in partnership with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to revitalize a disinvested corridor along Florida Boulevard in Mid City, creating viable greenspace.
4. $7.4 million for parish fire protection districts in EBR and the municipal fire departments for Baker and Zachary, for public safety equipment and premium pay for eligible employees.
5. $2.8 million for EBR Sheriff's Office for public safety equipment and premium pay for eligible employees.
6. $5.5 million to support a wide range of community violence-reduction strategies.
7. $200,000 for the District Attorney to expedite DNA testing for gun-related cases.
8. $2 million for workforce recruitment and retention for the Baton Rouge Police Department.
9. $1 million to collaborate with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Baton Rouge to provide legal services for domestic violence cases, which will assist with case backlog and provide both pre-trial and post-conviction wraparound services to clients.
10. $1 million for EmployBR to facilitate a ReEntry Program that will serve as a traditional employment program that aims to reduce recidivism by providing job training and employment opportunities to those returning from our local and state prisons.
11. $600,000 for youth employment programs to provide workforce readiness training, apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship opportunities, skills development, placement services, coaching and mentoring opportunities.
12. $1 million for the Human Resources Department to assist with recruiting, job placements and technology upgrades.