American Rescue Plan Act - Recovery Fund

Latest News: Council Member Burke interview Sir Bishop Walter Mack of Union Community Development Corporation.

In May 2023, Council Member Burke visited Union Baptist Church to observe the CDC's STEAM School (School on a Sunday). Watch Council Member Burke's interview with Sir Bishop Walter Mack and see the STEAM school in Action. The Union CDC received $750,000 in ARPA-enabled Transformational Grant funds to implement the STEAM School, as well as the Character Football League, and Corner 2 Corner programs.

Background

The city received $51.7 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Money for the fund was included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that Congress passed in March 2021. 

The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund is designed to give cities flexibility in responding to the health emergency and in funding projects, programs, or organizations that were economically impacted by the pandemic. In addition to programs specific to pandemic response and recovery, certain improvements to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure also can be funded, as well as programs or improvements for low-income census tracts.For more information on the American Rescue Plan Act, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury's website.

The City is committed to these principles in spending ARPA funds:

  • Transparency. The city will be open and transparent with all uses of ARPA funds, including holding public input sessions and creating public-facing dashboards.
  • Restoration. The city will use part of the funds to provide assistance to city operations and the local economy affected by COVID-19.
  • Transformation. The city will be outcome-oriented in the use of funds and will document progress made in specific and in strategic priority areas.
  • Fiscal Soundness. Because the funds are one-time in nature, the city will seek not to create recurring obligations using these funds.
  • Equity. All program and grant expenditures will undergo an equity review to ensure resources are equitably distributed throughout the community.

ARPA Spending Dashboard

Transformational Grants Program. The City allocated $10.5 million in transformational grants to community organizations. A total of 15 projects were funded to address community resiliency, crime, workforce development, literacy, the arts, resource development and access to resources, etc. Projects are now in progress with funds to be expended by December 2026. 

To see the applications submitted for funded projects, click on the TRANSFORMATIVE GRANTS button.

Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Timeline

  • March 25-29, 2023 - Several City Council Members traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities' Congressional City Summit. While there, City Council Members met with our federal delegation (Senate and House representatives) and provided them with a briefing sheet on ARPA. Learn more.
  • January 17, 2023 - City Council approves $350,000 to Smart Start of Forsyth County for Pre-K Initiatives as part of the City's Crime Prevention Plan. Learn more. 
  • January 3, 2023 - City Council approves an additional $4 million in Transformational Grants to community organizations and $500,000 for land acquisition in the Northeast Ward. Learn more.
  • November 14, 2022 - City Council approves $1.7 million in Housing and Neighborhood Development projects. Learn more.
  • October 17, 2022 - City Council approves $6 million in Transformational Grants to community organizations. Learn more.
  • September 19, 2022 - City Council approves $2 million for a partnership with WinstonNet to implement a Digital Equity Pilot Program. Learn more.
  • August 29, 2022 - Staff provides an update on the 89 proposals received through the Transformational Grants application. Learn more.
  • March 28, 2022 - City Council approves revenue replacement, in alignment with UNC School of Government best practices for management of ARPA funds. Learn more.
  • February 21, 2022 - City Council approves a set-aside of $10.5 million for a transformational grants program. Learn more.
  • December 2021 Update public briefing -- Recovery grant eligibility and application preview. Watch in English. View the PowerPoint Presentation slide deck
  • November 15, 2021 - City Council approves a recovery grants program to support businesses and non-profits. Learn more.
  • November 2021 Update public briefing -- Grant eligibility, prioritization, and administration. Watch in English. 
  • October 2021 Update public briefing – Allocation plan overview. Watch in English. Watch in Spanish.
  • September 15, 2021 - UPDATED: Map of Qualified Census Tracts. Go to the map.
  • August 23, 2021 - Special workshop of the City Council on potential Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Learn more. Or, watch the meeting.
  • August 16, 2021 - City Council resolved to accept the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Learn more.
  • April 28, 2021 - Public Input meeting on the American Rescue Plan Act. Watch the meeting.
  • April 5, 2021 - Update on the Next Steps for the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more.
  • March 15, 2021 - Update on the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more.