County Executive David Crowley Signs County Board Resolution Creating ARPA Task Force

MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed a County Board resolution to create a task force to recommend funding allocations for federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Milwaukee County was allocated $183 million in ARPA funding by the federal government. The county received half of its allocation this May, with the other half expected to be received in May 2022.

“This is an important moment for Milwaukee County as we continue our economic recovery after a year of disruption due to a global pandemic. It is imperative that we make smart investments to aid the recovery, make the most impact in the lives our residents, and remain good stewards of this limited amount of federal funds,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “That is why I am proud to designate Ricardo Diaz to participate in the task force on behalf of my office. Ricardo recently retired after a long tenure as Executive Director for the United Community Center where he demonstrated his commitment to education, neighborhood, and economic development. Ricardo also shares the racial equity goals of our administration and values promoting diversity, uniting communities, and closing gaps in the racial health disparities. I’m confident his addition to the process will ensure we make fiscally responsible decisions that help County residents recover from the impacts of pandemic.”

Mr. Diaz retired in May of 2020 after a long tenure as Executive Director for the United Community Center, a comprehensive social service agency serving Milwaukee area Latinos. Ricardo has more than 40 years of non-profit management experience. Throughout his career he has demonstrated his commitment to education as well as neighborhood and economic development, providing leadership and technical assistance to Milwaukee area agencies. Mr. Diaz previously served as Milwaukee Commissioner of City Development and the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.

He has become known as a leading quality education advocate in Milwaukee. Mr. Diaz shares with many his firm belief that education is the path out of poverty and critical to the growth of our city. He has served on many local boards including Alverno College, Green Bay Packers, Medical College of Wisconsin and Schools that Can.

“I am honored to be asked by County Executive Crowley to join this very important task force,” said Ricardo Diaz. “I look forward to working with this very talented group of individuals to ensure we responsibly invest these dollars and deliver the as much aid as possible to those in our region who need it the most.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.