American Rescue Plan Act

Summary

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a part of the American Rescue Plan, provides state, local, and Tribal governments across the country funding to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Treasury allocated $57,300,874 million of these funds directly to Cumberland County. In May of 2022, Cumberland County received its second and final tranche of funding in the amount of $28,650,437 million.

The intent of the grant funds is to provide Cumberland County with the financial resources needed to respond to the pandemic and its economic effects and to build a stronger, more equitable economy. Cumberland County considers the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver a strong recovery and improve current and future economic and health outcomes for all residents. The County believes working with municipalities and nonprofit organizations will set the stage for a stronger, more durable recovery. In doing so, the County’s Plan for SLFRF spending prioritizes support for struggling households and critical investments in infrastructure.

Action Plan For Remaining Funding

Last winter the County Commissioners established regional priorities and created an open competitive grant process. The goal for the open competitive grant process was to align our SLFRF with nonprofits and municipalities that have the capacity to provide services to those impacted by COVID-19, thereby sending an infusion of funds into our community during a critical time of the pandemic. To ensure the County targets funding where it is needed within our community need, the County embarked on additional community engagement and feedback for the use of the Tranche 2 funds in the Spring and Summer of 2022. From this approach, data points were established and outlined for our region's current needs. The County’s existing priorities although similar had in fact shifted slightly for our region. affordable housing and homeless services rank highest among our community needs. However, a shift has occurred in the area of municipal water and sewer as well as childcare and education services, moving head of mental health, substance use, and food insecurity.

County administration and the ARPA Advisory Committee advocated for a targeted approach to our regional needs. Thereby replacing the open competitive grant application process, and establishing the following grant programs. Three of the five programs outlined would be open to community providers and municipalities to apply for and access funding: