KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A plan to fund gun violence prevention programs has finally been approved by the City of Kalamazoo, and the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners may soon follow.
Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson had hoped they could have the programs in place by this summer, but it now looks like it will be fall before they can get the funding to local violence prevention groups.
Last night the Kalamazoo City Commission voted to give $550,000 to the United Way, specifying that they solicit bids from five identified groups, guiding them on how to qualify for money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The United Way of South Central Michigan Chief Impact Officer Alyssa Stewart says they can streamline the process, but is still estimating it will take 10 weeks .
She says it will then take time for those groups to gear up their efforts, because some of them are operating with little or no funding right now.
Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin told his Board of Commissioners last night that he will be back with a similar proposal at their next meeting.
He did not say how much money he will recommend the county allocate.
The deal was apparently put together by City and County staff, after growing pressure from the community, the Mayor and other elected officials.
