By now, many Americans are familiar with the federal government-led effort to respond to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. CARES - also known as the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 provided economic assistance directly to Americans, small businesses and industries.

ARPA is the American Rescue Plan Act, which provides relief funds to state, local and tribal governments negatively impacted by COVID-19.

In late 2022, the White House called upon a Michigan delegation to report on how the economic relief impacted those who needed it. Among them was Chris Sargent, president and CEO of the United Way of South Central Michigan - covering Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing and their respective counties.

Click to hear Chris discuss the experience, which included visiting the White House and hearing from Vice President Kamala Harris.

Episode Resources

White House American Rescue Plan Information
ARPA: Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
HR 748 - CARES Act
United Way of South Central Michigan website
Chris Sargent's Blog About White House Meeting
Donate to the United Way of South Central Michigan

More United Way Episodes

Community Matters: United Way Kicks Off Post-Merger Campaign
United Way Lansing: Merger Helps Target ALICE Goals More Effectively
United Way Jackson: Merger Means Greater Impact to Our Communities
Battle Creek/Kalamazoo United Way to Maintain Local Focus After Merging with Lansing, Jackson

This podcast is a Livemic Communications production