A federal order on Monday freezing grants and loans that power much of local government was rescinded Wednesday, but confusion about the impact of the order continues to be felt in Akron.
The White House order was paused by a federal court before the Trump administration pulled back on the directive, a “momentary win” for residents, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in an emailed statement.
“This had the potential to be incredibly harmful especially to our most at risk residents including our aging community, our young people, those with disabilities, and others,” Malik said.
He called the reversal of the freeze “a win for Akron residents and for many Americans across the country” and said his administration “will continue to stay alert for additional orders and will be prepared to respond accordingly.”
In a separate statement, Malik said he understood the executive order regarding federal funding — as well as other executive orders around immigration and diversity and inclusion — cause “a lot of concern, fear, and uncertainty across Akron.”
At the University of Akron, spokesperson Tammy Ewin said she couldn’t speak to the impact of the freeze because “it is unclear what the final result will be.”
And Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro said in a Tuesday statement that she and her team were in contact with both state and federal officials to better understand what the effects of the freeze order would be locally.
“Summit County is both a recipient of, and pass through entity for, significant federal grant funding,” she said. “These funds support essential community programming, including public safety, emergency housing for families, bridge repairs, home improvements for older adults, and many more critical services that benefit residents throughout the County.”
In addition to local schools and governments, organizations affected by the freeze order include The Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, the Akron Urban League, Family Promise of Summit County and the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said in a statement.
She said Trump’s administration has “thrown the country into chaos” since he was sworn into office Jan. 20.
“People do not know what is going on, and it is not clear if that is the point or if it is the byproduct of incompetence,” she said, calling his actions “unconscionable and unacceptable.”
