As the country continues building back from COVID-19’s effects, the federal government created several funding options dedicated specifically to infrastructure and community development. This blog summarizes the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and potential opportunities open to communities seeking ways to address both COVID’s direct impacts, or problems exacerbated
by the pandemic.
The ARP passed in March 2021 with provisions to assist affected communities, including businesses and agencies. In May, the Department of Treasury issued an interim regulation outlining eligible funding for tribal governments, states, cities, counties, and territories.
ARP provides $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to address the pandemic’s economic impact through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Where and How Can the Funds be Used?
- Public health expenditures: COVID-19 mitigation, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, public health, and safety staff.
- Negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency: Economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.
- Replace lost public sector revenue: Provide government services lost or reduced due to reductions in revenue resulting from the pandemic.
- Essential worker pay: Support to those bearing the greatest health risks due to their service in critical infrastructure sectors.
- Infrastructure: Provide funding for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation infrastructure, and broadband internet.
- Education: Elementary and secondary school emergency relief
What are the Criteria for Infrastructure Funding?
CRITERIA 1: Projects required to maintain the level of service that meets health-based standards, climate-change resilience, or necessary to establish or improve broadband to unserved or underserved communities.
CRITERIA 2: Projects that produce high-quality infrastructure, avert disruptive and costly delays, and promote efficiency. Encouraged projects include water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and broadband projects using strong labor standards.
How are ARP Funds to be Allocated?
Depending on your community, the U.S. Department of Treasury has established different allocation amounts and rules which are summarized in the graphic below:
For more details on the allocation of these funds, you can download PDFs for States (Allocation), States (Split payments), Territories, Counties, Metropolitan Cities, and Non-Entitlement Units.
Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Solutions, Today
Creatively transforming how our world is envisioned, designed, and experienced, WGI is a national professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the planning, design, and construction of public and private infrastructure and development.
WGI serves a multitude of public agencies, tribes, municipalities, counties, and states. We remain dedicated to the development and economic prosperity of the local communities in which we live and work. We intently focus on delivering our professional commitments while giving back through leadership, volunteerism, and sponsorship.
Contact us today to learn more about our infrastructure services and how we can help your community take advantage of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
General Inquiries:
Monte Lambert
Senior Business Development Manager
561.543.3366
[email protected]
Infrastructure Inquiries:
Brian LaMotte, PE
SVP, Chief Business Development Officer
561.346.3239
[email protected]
Water Infrastructure Inquiries:
Leigh Thomas, PE
Director of Public Infrastructure – Water
210.860.9224
[email protected]
