Have You Contacted Your Municipality About American Relief Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for Your Water or Wastewater System?
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF, aka ARPA) which provided $350 billion to state and local governments across the nation for the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Of Connecticut’s $2.55 billion share, over $1.56 billion was allocated to municipalities. Legislative bodies have discretion over how to spend their local ARPA funds. ARPA funding includes individuals, schools, businesses, and areas suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to these areas, the funds can also be for projects for water and wastewater utilities and do not have to be COVID-19 related. Funding for towns and cities will be distributed in a modified CDBG formula with entitlement cities (those with a population over 50,000) receiving funding directly from the Treasury Department and non-entitlement towns (those with a population under 50,000) distributed by the State as a pass-through. The funds have to be incurred by December 31, 2024, and only require that receipts have obligated the funds by such date. The period of performance will run until December 31, 2026, which provides recipients time to plan and execute potential projects. Funds for FY 2022 have already been released and some towns have decided on allocations but not necessarily all of them. It is important you reach out to your elected officials to get a seat at the table in the decision-making process. The second payment from the Treasury Department will be issued after July for FY 2023. The approach for allocation will vary town-to-town, as this is based on the form of government for the community. With time left to still apply, it is imperative that you contact your municipal leadership today.
Visit the link below for more details and answers commonly asked questions for water and wastewater system interest in receiving ARPA funds.
PHOTO: DIGITALISTA/BIGSTOCKPHOTO
