By Sara Beth Williams–
The Sunrise MarketPlace is slated to soon receive $100,000 in reimbursements for public safety and maintenance expenses, thanks to an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Sacramento County at the direction of Supervisor Sue Frost.
According to Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter, the funds were utilized in 2022, with expenses including funding of a dedicated Citrus Heights police officer in the district, as well as private armed security. A portion of the funds also went towards a part-time porter service which helps to remove illegally dumped debris, clean graffiti, and return misplaced shopping carts.
The MarketPlace represents hundreds of businesses in the Sunrise-Greenback commercial corridor, primarily funded by a property tax assessment on businesses in the district.
Signed into law on Mar. 11, 2021, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act allocated $350 billion funding for state and local governments. According to saccounty.net,
Sacramento County received a total of $301.4 million in ARPA funding in two installments, with 50 percent ($150 million) provided beginning in May 2021 and the total balance delivered approximately 12 months later.
The county’s website says funds can be used to “support public health expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, serve low income communities and individuals, families and businesses hardest-hit by the pandemic, invest in necessary improvements to water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.” Subsequent guidelines released by the Treasury Department allowed for broader discretion by entities in use of the first $10 million in funds received.
Related: City says broad use of federal COVID rescue funds now allowed
In 2022, the Sunrise MarketPlace also received a $5,000 grant from the City of Citrus Heights to assist with the cost of murals in the district. In May of 2022, the MarketPlace commissioned at least three wall murals using some of the funds, two in the Marketplace at Birdcage, and one at PetSmart, all painted by artists participating in a Wide Open Walls project.
Related: More marketplace murals take over walls in Citrus Heights
In 2023, to date, the MarketPlace was awarded $30,000 in grants from SMUD for business attraction and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) efforts. CPTED is intended to prevent crime on properties through the use of additional lighting and security cameras, landscape changes, locking electrical outlets, and hose bibs.
SMUD Shine grants are available to incorporated nonprofit organizations and awards fall into four categories: social well being, healthy environment, prosperous economy and mobility.
This year, Carpenter said the MarketPlace plans to apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax grant (TOT) through Sacramento County and an economic development grant from the city of Citrus Heights.
