American Rescue Plan Act

Through the passage of House of Representative Bill 1319, also known as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), state, tribal, and local governments are expected to receive much-needed assistance to help offset the negative impacts of COVID-19. 

  • Richmond is currently situated to receive $27.7 million with the first installment received in August 2021, and the final installment expected one year later in 2022. 

As part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 annual budget process, the Richmond City Council approved an allocation of $10.5 million in ARPA funds for various projects, including funding to conduct a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) for informing City Council’s decision for how to allocate the remaining ARPA relief funding of $17.2 million. All funds have to be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.

  1. State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program
  2. Community Needs Assessment

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a part of the American Rescue Plan, delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The SLFRF program provides governments across the country with the resources needed to:

  • Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts
  • Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis
  • Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity

SLFRF funds may be used to:

  • Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services up to the amount of revenue lost due to the pandemic
  • Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, by supporting the health of communities, and helping households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector recover from economic impacts
  • Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors
  • Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, to support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand affordable access to broadband internet

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial flexibility for each jurisdiction to meet local needs within these four separate eligible use categories.