Straight from the Mike…Dots That Just Don’t Seem to Connect

It was an interesting, spirited, and informative meeting that took place this past Monday afternoon at 100 Cherokee Street. The purpose was to invite the ARPA grant awardees to meet with the grant consultant, Deloitte, who was commissioned by the BOC to administer and monitor the ARPA funds. The management team from Deloitte had their say and within a New York minute a grantee stood up, introduced herself and let it flow. Her story was so detailed, and visceral, it left nothing to the imagination.

There was no guessing, no speculation. She, like so many other awardees, came to the meeting with a purpose. She gave a message, a heartfelt story of delay, frustration, and desperation. Adding insult to injury, she was to be the ‘lead off’ batter to be followed by story after story. They were all similar, in fact and by situation.

The qualified nonprofits present, save one, have not received the funds granted to them to carry forth their programs. I have long felt that the nonprofits in the county are real ‘heroes in our midst.’ They are willing, trying to do the impossible for those ever so grateful. They do so

much with so little resources, they are deserving of every dollar that has been awarded them all, without the red tape, delay, and seemingly endless hurdles. It does not matter if the hurdles are not deliberate; the results are the same – non-payment of funds.

The purpose of ARPA funding to the county for the non-profit section was to address challenges, address needs and help the afflicted. Unfortunately, I would guess most of those present Monday were asking, “What’s it all about Elfie?” If indeed we the people are the government, why then would we make it so difficult for ourselves? Moreover, the crème of the crop of nonprofits were in attendance. 

The air of frustration was so thick; you needed a chainsaw to cut through it. It would not serve any purpose at the point to place blame. The point is, let’s get it resolved quickly and ‘never again’ should be the mantra of the nonprofits for grant programs in the future. One cannot help but have a similar takeaway, at this point, for workforce housing. To me, it has been one of the most talked about subjects in the county for several years. Unfortunately, the needle has been stuck like the thermometer in a cold oven. There is no fire; no real intent and the weeds have overtaken the once promising fertile flowerbed. Interest rates used to be low, now you need a stepladder to reach them. Opportunity passes those who do not avail themselves to it.

It has been another one of the mysteries to me (dots waiting to be connected) how on one hand, we want to attract businesses to Cobb, but other than the top executives, the workforce has to consider a lengthy commute to their place of employment. Working from home does not cut it for everyone. What am I missing, ya’ll?