Since the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) earlier this year, we have devoted considerable time on our blog, with threads, and webinars, about how this one-in-a-generation investment could be a game-changer for communities across Ohio. This week, our #GOPCThread highlights many of the themes we are seeing in how communities are planning to invest their ARPA funds.
Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.
Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter
The final rules for #ARPA are still pending, but that hasn’t stopped cities & counties from starting to think about, collect input on, and deploy these important resources. This week’s #GOPCThread highlights themes we’re seeing in #Ohio.
.@ICMA surveyed its members thru mid-Sept ’21 and found, nationally, top priorities for local #ARPA $ were 1) sewer & water infrastructure improvements and 2) revenue replacement #GOPCThread
Local Leaders Identify Top Priorities and Processes Rescue Plan Funds | ICMA Click Image for Link
Many communities in Ohio have announced they will be allocating funds to reduce debts created by the pandemic; some munis + counties, like, @CityofMansfield, have already allocated their funds. #GOPCThread
Beyond replacing revenue, Ohio local govs, like @City_of_Toledo, @CityofSandusky, @WarrenCityOhio are establishing priorities and gathering input on specific projects through resident surveys, public input mtgs, & Advisory Task Forces #GOPCThread
Broadly speaking, Ohio cities + counties are prioritizing infrastructure, gov’t services (incl. safety services), resident stability (incl. housing + health), and biz recovery. We outline common themes and unique project proposals below #GOPCThread
INFRASTUCTURE: Many places, like @ClvHtsGov & Trumbull Co, are making large sewer & water commitments. Paired w/ @OhioDevelopment’s new program + the new #IIJA $$, these funds will be game changing for legacy cities #GOPCThread
Clark Co, Coshocton Co, Trumbull Co, & others have allocated $$ to expand broadband + wifi access to households in areas that currently have no highspeed internet service #GOPCThread
GOV’T SERVICES: As part of recovering and stabilizing local gov services, several cities—like Dayton, Toledo, and Cleveland—are training new police and fire recruits and/or providing new equipment/facilities. #GOPCThread
How Dayton, Ohio Spent Its COVID Money | NPR Click Image for Link
Richland Co is allocating ARPA funds to build a 4th Courtroom at the County building; this will help bond cases move faster and create more space for socially distanced trials and jury deliberations #GOPCThread
Richland County Moving Ahead with Plans for Fourth Courtroom | Richland Source Click Image for Link
RESIDENT STABILITY: .@LakewoodOhio allocated rent help this summer. Hamilton Co is expected to allocate $ for mortgage help. Springfield will allocate $ for homelessness services + #affordablehousing. Housing stability is a priority use of ARPA funds.
Mahoning Co has allocated funds for facility improvements to a nonprofit health care center, which receives funding from the county, city and state agencies. Health is priority spending area for ARPA funds. #GOPCThread
Commissioners Award $2.5 Million | Youngstown Vindicator Click Image for Link
.@CityofCleveland has allocated funds for capital improvements to 2 @CleFoodBank facilities to serve more clients. Many op-eds and advocates are urging other communities to use their #ARPA funds to ensure food security among residents #GOPCThread
How to Help | Ohio Association of Foodbanks Click Image for Link
QUALITY OF LIFE: Mayor @WadeKaps of @city_of_toledo has proposed using #ARPA funds to build a new YMCA that can provide youth programming, sports, & rec. This investment will help improve community health outcomes #GOPCThread
.@CityofCleveland & @CityofYOU will help stabilize families + neighborhoods by demolishing >500 blighted residential properties in each city, using #ARPA funding. This will improve housing + health outcomes for residents #GOPCThread
BIZ RECOVERY: Many places are using #ARPA $ to con’t funding #SmBiz recovery grants + low interest loan programs that were started under #CARES. Some places are focusing on restaurants/bars, minority-owned bizs or commercial districts #GOPCThread
Cleveland Heights Council Introduces $18 million ARPA Set-aside for Sewer Relief | cleveland.com Click Image for Link
In summer ‘21, Franklin Co allocated #ARPA funds to help bolster the hard-hit sports & tourism industry and workforce. Other places are considering similar tourism-industry relief allocations. #GOPCThread
Investing in our Sports & Tourism Workforce | Franklin County Board of Commissioners Click Image for Link
Some places, like Franklin Co. + Hamilton Co. are keeping residents informed of ARPA allocations through online dashboards and detailed reports. In other places, the local media outlets are doing detailed reporting.
ARP Funds | Franklin County Board of Commissioners Click Image for Link
Several counties, including Richland and Clark, have hired ARPA coordinators to help ensure funds are maximized and projects implemented quickly. #GOPCThread
Clark County Makes Next Decision for Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds | Springfield News-Sun Click Image for Link
Project and Expenditure reports are due 1/31/22 for states, direct allocation cities and counties; and 4/30/22 for non-entitlement units (those municipalities and counties that received their funds through @Ohio_OBM
The Project and Expenditure reports will be a good glimpse into the emerging priorities that have received funding. Stay tuned!
