PORTLAND -- Cumberland County announced on Thursday that the County Executive Office has released a pre-application for interested non-profits, municipalities and qualified businesses hoping to secure significant grants for local projects. More than ten million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are available for this first round of competitive funding.
The pre-application is a simple form that will be required of firms competing to secure grants under the County’s first tranche of ARPA funds. The County has provided a list of qualified categories, and is encouraging applicants to use the pre-application in order to demonstrate clear evidence that their project qualifies for ARPA funds. The pre-application will also require applicants to provide some project basics, including timelines, available matching funds, and project goals.
The deadline to submit a pre-application is Monday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m. The pre-applications will be reviewed by County staff to determine eligibility. Upon certification that the application qualifies for ARPA funding, the County will invite applicants to fill out a complete application.
Cumberland County has not yet set a deadline for final applications, but expects to close that window around the end of 2021. At that time, a committee of volunteers appointed by the County Commissioners will review complete applications and offer guidance to the Commissioners on distributing available funds.
The County is looking for significant projects that address critical regional needs and will demonstrate a lasting, positive impact. Applicants must seek a minimum of $100,000, and be prepared to demonstrate the project's qualifications and goals.
Cumberland County is putting the highest priority on projects that address affordable housing, infrastructure, healthcare, workforce training and homelessness - but all projects that meet the qualified categories listed on the pre-application will be given fair consideration.
For more information - including guidance resources on the American Rescue Plan Act, more details on qualifications for funding, and to access the pre-application - visit the County’s ARPA website at cumberlandcounty.org/ARPA.
This is the first of several rounds of competitive ARPA funding from Cumberland County. The County will perform a similar application process when the second tranche of funding arrives sometime after May 2022.