See How Shreveport Spent $48 Million in ARP Funding

SHREVEPORT, LA – The deadline is quickly approaching for cities to spend all of the American Rescue Plan monies they received or they have to return that cash to the feds. Shreveport leaders have put a plan in place to make sure all of the money is spent by the end of this year, as required.

Get our free mobile app

Shreveport got a total of $48 million dollars and has earned interest on that money of nearly $600,000 over the past 3 years.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) did provide direct assistance to families, but it also included more than $130 billion dollars to local governments. The money was split evenly between municipalities and parishes (counties).

The National League of Cities says large cities (those with a population of 250,000 or more) spent just over 11% of the ARPA money on housing initiatives. These communities have had a surge in homelessness and they have leveraged the funds to try to bring more affordable housing developments to their communities. These cities have also spent a good portion of the money on mental health and substance abuse problems that directly impact the homeless community.

How did Shreveport spend this windfall of cash?

The City of Shreveport got just under $49 million. KEEL News recently obtained a list from the city on how the money was spent prior to 2023 and how the money has been spent since 2023.

Prior to 2023:

Total spent : $19,077,095

$3,800,000 – Purchase of Millennium Studios

$2,171,595 – Fire Vehicles and Equipment (includes 3 Fire pumper trucks)

$2,000,000 – City-Wide Sewer Infrastructure

$1,500,000 – YMCA for ball fields

$1,500,000 – Cargill Park Ball Field Improvements

$1,420,000 – Riverview Park (includes $420,000 added in 2024)

$1,100,000 – Sci-Port IMAX Upgrades

$1,012,500 – SporTran Vehicles and Equipment

$1,000,000 – City-Wide Water Infrastructure

$1,000,000 – Rec. Center Upgrades

$800,000 – Ronald McDonald House

$555,000 - YWCA Allendale project

$500,000 – Independence Stadium

$500,000 – Roadway and Drainage $500,000

$188,000 – Jail Maintenance

About $30,000 in vaccination incentive payments – first responders

2023-2024 ARPA Spending

Total: $28,875,000

$8,900,000 – Various Street Projects David Raines, Audrey, plus a lot more

$4,400,000 – Ford Street Improvements

$4,000,000 – HVAC Repairs – Conv. Center, Riverview, Sci-Port and Courts

$3,750,000 – Knight Street Improvements Supplemental Funding

$2,100,000 – Police and Fire recruitment and retention incentives for 2024

$1,000,000 – Choice Neighborhoods Park (CC Antione) Supplemental Funding

$862,500 – Cockrell Park Pool Supplemental Funding

$750,000 – Roof at Stage Works

$600,000 – Demolition of Fair Grounds Field

$600,000 – Fire Station 14 Supplemental Funding

$600,000 – Fire Station 15 Supplemental Funding

$500,000 – Police Firing Range Supplemental Funding -

$400,000 – Fuel Island Replacement for SPD

$362,500 – David Raines Pool Supplemental Funding

$50,000 – Relocate section of Parkway walking trail

Shreveport has a balance of just under $900,000, but that money will be allocated and obligated before the deadline at the end of this year.