The Town of Indian Trail received a Region of Excellence award from the Centralina Regional Council (Centralina) in the category of Improving Quality of Life for its use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-enabled funding to support community-based organizations and projects. Council Members Crystal Buchaluk and Clarence Alsobrooks accepted the award on Oct. 9 on the Town’s behalf during an award ceremony at Centralina’s Board of Delegates meeting. Buchaluk is the Town Council’s primary delegate for Centralina, while Alsobrooks is the alternate delegate.
Local governments, individuals, non-profits, and other organizations in Centralina’s nine-county region could apply for or be nominated for one of six award categories. According to Centralina's website, to qualify for the Improving Quality of Life award, applicants had to develop or implement “a project, program, or plan that enhanced quality of life in their community.” The nominations had to illustrate the positive impact they had in one or more quality of life categories, including housing, transportation, health, and economic opportunity. An independent panel of judges selected the award winners.
In 2021, the Town of Indian Trail received $12.7 million through the American Rescue Plan Act. Of this $12.7 million, the Town took the standard Revenue Replacement Allowance of $10 million, using it to pay for the Union County Sheriff’s Office contract for 2.5 years. This use freed up $10 million in ARPA-enabled general funds. The goal was to use these funds and interest earned on these dollars to support non-profits and service organizations throughout the community and improve the lives of our residents. Since 2022, the Town has assisted numerous non-profits, service organizations, schools, and first responders in providing additional resources to residents in Indian Trail and Union County, focusing on the most vulnerable in our community, including children, senior citizens, and those experiencing food and shelter needs.
A few examples of ARPA-enabled projects include new ladder trucks for the Bakers, Hemby Bridge, and Stallings fire departments; medical and accessibility equipment for the Council on Aging; food and other resources for Common Heart and Food for Families to provide support for those experiencing food insecurity; items for the Community Shelter of Union County, David’s Advocacy for the Homeless, and the Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry to assist those experiencing homelessness; and funding toward a waterline project to bring waterlines to residents living in the Emerald Woods neighborhood who are on well water. For a full list of ARPA-enabled funding recipients, visit www.indiantrail.org/664/ARPA-Funding.
“The Town of Indian Trail is honored to receive a Region of Excellence award from the Centralina Regional Council,” said Adam McLamb, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Public Works. “The Town’s ARPA committee has worked tirelessly with community organizations to meet some of the most critical needs of our residents. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide valuable assistance to support the organizations that support our community. The Town Council’s commitment to Indian Trail and greater Union County will be felt for years to come.”
About the Region of Excellence Awards
The annual Centralina Region of Excellence Awards showcase the achievements of individuals, communities, and organizations that support Centralina’s mission to expand opportunity and improve the quality of life in its nine-county region. The region includes Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties.
For more information about the Centralina Regional Council, visit www.centralina.org.