that was coming through. The bump outs slowed people down. It turned out this year was really our best year and we were very happy with the turnout for that,” Hurd shared. Local businesses along Main Street have long noted a need for improvements for the town. Jim and Sue Charron own Charron’s Deli & Cafe, which has been situated on Main Street for 15 years and has seen the challenges the traffic can cause and the need for repairs. “The sidewalks were horrendous. You would never be able to push a wheelchair or stroller down them,” Jim Charron said. Leah and Daniel Fuller opened Nutrition on Main, which sells healthy shakes, teas, and other drinks, in October of 2020. They have heard from customers how the upgrades have made driving through town a more pleasant experience. “It has made a difference. It is super smooth sailing as a resident and as a business owner. Customers come in and they talk about how nice it looks, how smooth it is now,” Leah Fuller said. While the updates may not have changed the number of vehicles coming through town during peak hours, they have helped to increase the walkability of Main Street and provided some relief in the gridlock of traffic. These businesses have also noticed an uptick in the pedestrian traffic since the sidewalks and crosswalks have been added and repaired. “We are seeing a lot more [foot] traffic downtown, versus before the traffic was so congested and it looks like it has opened up some,” Daniel Fuller said. “We have had a lot more growth in our business from people stopping versus before when it was kind of gridlocked through here for the past three or four years.” “It seems like there’s a lot more foot traffic in town now,” Jim Charron said. “It needed an upgrade I think it did exactly what they were thinking it was going to do. It made it look better and made it look more appealing.” The town stresses the importance of this type of project not just for creating a safe environment, but also for sharing the character of the town with others who pass through or come to visit. “One of our goals, of course, was the safety, but we want people to come to Youngsville from anywhere and enjoy the downtown events we have … and enjoy a good hometown feel,” Hurd said. “I think they will like it if they get here.” ARP Corner: Youngsville We are seeing a lot more [foot] traffic downtown, versus before the traffic was so congested and it looks like it has opened up some. We have had a lot more growth in our business from people stopping versus before when it was kind of gridlocked through here for the past three or four years. » Daniel Fuller, Nutrition on Main Emily Hurd as panelist for NCLM’s ARP Webinar WHAT’S NEXT FOR STAYING ARP COMPLIANT? The Treasury portal for filing the annual Project & Expenditure Report is expected to open on April 1, 2024, and close on April 30, 2024. Before filing, be sure you have access to your SAM.gov account. You must renew this account annually, so you will want to check the expiration date to ensure you will be able to file during the month of April. The deadline for obligating funds is also fast approaching as all ARP dollars must be obligated by December 31, 2024. Towns should not wait until the last minute to take the necessary steps to do so. If your town needs help with filing your annual report or making plans for obligating funds, the League has ARP representatives across the state who can work with you on these projects. DATES TO REMEMBER: • ARP Report Filing Window: April 1–30, 2024 • Obligation Deadline: December 31, 2024 • Fund Expenditure Deadline: December 31, 2026 NCLM’S SERVICE LINE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT NC TOWNS The League continues to work with towns across North Carolina with funds earmarked specifically to provide services to cities and towns. In 2023 alone, the ARP team met with 464 towns to support them in upgrading their municipal accounting systems and boosting financial reporting capabilities, providing access to expert legal and grant writing services, helping towns “tell their ARP story” through our communications staff, securing town assets through cybersecurity upgrades, and assisting towns with ARP compliance. NCLM.ORG 33
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