Nearly 80 percent of all of Pittsfield’s federal coronavirus relief money has been set aside, spent or allocated to city and community projects — leaving about $8.9 million still to use as the city and nation close out the third year of the pandemic.

In the year since the first of the federal coronavirus relief money was delivered to Pittsfield's bank accounts, officials have allocated or earmarked close to $23 million worth of projects — slightly more than half what's headed to the city.

The community-led projects focus on childcare, housing, education, arts programs and supportive services for formerly incarcerated people, people struggling with substance use disorders and under-resourced residents.

Pittsfield has announced earmarks for more than $7 million in projects since getting American Rescue Plan Act money in May. Its first report to the Treasury Department shows that spending of that money has been conservative.

The city of Pittsfield on Monday formally invited city residents, businesses and organizations to apply for $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding that it has received.

Major repairs and updates to the city's Ashley Water Treatment Plant, upgrades to the Berkshire Family YMCA's child care center, and a second round of funding for the At Home in Pittsfield renovation project are the big-ticket items earmarked by city officials for money from federal coronavirus aid money.

Andy Cambi will be the new Pittsfield Health Department director, after a unanimous vote by the Board of Health on Wednesday. 

Mayor Linda Tyer selected familiar faces in Deanna Ruffer, the Community Development director, and Gina Armstrong, the former Health Department director, to oversee the city's use of almost $41 million in American Rescue Plan Act money.

The city has received four applications from candidates seeking to succeed Gina Armstrong as Pittsfield's health director, according to health department officials. Interim Health Director Cambi said on Wednesday the four sets of cover letters and resumes came in before last week's submission deadline. The Board of Health will start reviewing the applications soon.