The American Rescue plan provides $350 billion in federal funds for eligible state, local, territorial and tribal governments nationwide. Macoupin County will receive approximately $8.7 million over the next two years. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide a substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Below are non-exhaustive examples for which the funding can be used.
Eligible Uses for ARP Funds
Support the public health response. For example, vaccination programs, purchasing PPE, prevention and mitigation services.
Addressing negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency. For example, delivering assistance to workers and families, speeding the recovery of the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors supporting industries hard-hit by COVID19.
Serving the hardest hit communities & families. For example, addressing health disparities and other social determinants of health, investments in housing and neighborhoods.
Replacing lost public sector revenue. For example, maintenance of infrastructure, including roads, environment remediation, health services unrelated to COVID19.
Providing premium pay for essential workers. For example, staff at nursing homes, hospitals, and home-care settings, any work performed by an employee of the state, local or tribal government, public health and safety staff.
Investing in water and sewer infrastructure. For example, Managing & treating stormwater or subsurface drainage water, investments in public-owned treatment infrastructure including building or upgrading water and sewer facilities.
Investing in broadband infrastructure. For example, building broadband infrastructure with modern technologies in mind, specifically those projects which deliver services offering reliable 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speeds unless impracticable due to topography, geography or financial cost.
For more information on the American Rescue Plan, please click here. State, city and tribal governments along with school districts will also be receiving funds. You can see that allocation here.
The Macoupin County Board quickly began the work on examining ways to share those Rescue funds and have assigned county staff to support implementation of programs and expenditures within certain key areas, with ongoing assessment by the County Board. County Clerk Pete Duncan worked to create this online running database of how the ARP funds have been spent to keep the process transparent and open.