The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Opportunity in Local Government

With this infusion of cash, the federal government hopes to prevent a prolonged period of fiscal austerity at the local government level, which can slow economic recovery. 

Understand the Funding and Allocation Methodology

• Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Fact Sheet

• Local Allocations in the American Rescue Plan Act

Uses of Funding

• Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff;
  

• Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector;
  

• Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic;
  

• Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors; and,
  

• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet

See How Local Governments are Responding 

• Report: Discussions in Local Government about ARPA  

• Webinar: Discussions in Local Government about the American Rescue Plan Act

Resources to Effectively Track Policies & Topics in Local Government

Make Your Voice Heard to Influence Local Funding Priorities

Local governments have wide latitude when it comes to using CSLFRF funds. Many kinds of distributions and investments could fall under the umbrella of responding to acute pandemic response needs, filling revenue shortfalls, and supporting the communities and populations hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

Many organizations see the funding as an opportunity for local governments to not just restore the same systems and jobs that were lost, but to build back differently.

We expect to see a few of the following topics trending in local discussions over the next year: 

• Using CSLFRF funds to close racial income and wealth gaps

• Building better digital infrastructure and investing in digital literacy

• Addressing local risks from climate change

• Revamping workforce development in response to future needs

• Expanding public transportation infrastructure

Looking at the discussions that are already happening in small communities around the state reveals a trend: many local officials are unsure what to do with the cash, and are seeking input from their constituents through public hearings, special working groups, and online portals.

Some communities are considering hiring consultants to help them distribute the funds.

“City Manager Elyse Casselberry reported that staff has been identifying projects that ARPA funds could be potentially used for. One of the areas of funding that staff is exploring is for broadband expansion. Granting entities for broadband are going to require that the City have a plan. To help develop a plan for broadband expansion, it would be advisable to engage a consultant.”
- Delta City, CO | July 6, 2021

The smallest communities may join forces with neighboring communities to offset the administrative burden of distributing the funds.

“Chairman Shea stated he would like to get all the Counties together to discuss ARPA. Mr. Cronin stated the County is not currently staffed to handle a $137M program. Mr. Cronin stated a Tri-County dialog would be beneficial.”
- Norfolk County, MA | June 23, 2021

For many communities, these funds are serving as a catalyst to redefine their priorities for the next 10 to 20 years and to consider strategic investments that would not have been possible even prior to the pandemic.

To influence the decisions that will be made in local communities about these funds, stakeholders must proactively monitor local policy discussions and engage with local leaders through public hearings, one-on-one meetings, and grassroots campaigns.

With local media coverage continuing to dwindle following the collapse of advertising revenue during the pandemic, businesses will need to rely even more on their own efforts to stay in the know. 

Stay on Top of ARPA & CSLFRF Discussions with Curate

1) Set up automated tracking of these discussions

2) Get real-time alerts when these topics are mentioned in city and county government documents

3) Engage with elected officials and influence local policy outcomes

Keep Up With Local Discussions During Times of Rapid Change

With customized alerts from Curate, businesses can find the critical information they need about emerging issues without manually searching through minutes and agendas from dozens of cities and counties. 

Schedule a demo to see how you can use Curate to monitor discussions related to ARPA and CSLFRF and 200+ other topics within 12,000+ local governments around the U.S.