Between the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, state and local leaders were able to decide how to spend more than $15 billion dollars. With our partner, Advocates for Ohio’s Future, we set out to see where the dollars have gone—and share that information with the public, advocates, and the media. 

On August 10, we released a report, "A Billion Here, A Billion There: Where Have All of Ohio’s COVID Relief Dollars Gone?", along with an accompanying webpage—www.OhioARPATracker.org—which houses information on how Ohio spent its Coronavirus Relief Funds from the CARES Act and State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and details what resources are still available.

Ohio still has $1.9 billion in state fiscal recovery funds to spend. Our report provides a recommendation on how those dollars should be invested. From support for Ohio’s food banks in the short term and preparing for the end of the public health emergency to addressing lead poisoning prevention, affordable housing, and health disparities, our recommended investments can make meaningful improvements in the health and stability of low-income Ohioans.