The fund amount must be obligated by December 31, 2024, but actual payments can lag to December 31, 2026.
The Select Board is looking forward to review project suggestions from departments as well as the community at-large that are particularly in line with (but not limited to) advancing strategic priorities outlined in:
The town’s Resilient Master Plan
Open Space and Recreation Plan, and
Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Eligible Uses of Funding
The Treasury guidance states that recipients can use funds to:
- Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care, mental health and substance misuse treatment, and certain public health and safety personnel responding to the crisis, among other uses.
- Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including by rehiring public sector workers, providing aid to households facing food, housing or other financial insecurity, offering small business assistance, and extending support for industries hardest hit by the crisis.
- Aid the communities and populations hardest hit by the crisis, supporting an equitable recovery by addressing not only the immediate harms of the pandemic, but its exacerbation of longstanding public health, economic and educational disparities.
- 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 during the pandemic.
- Invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, improving access to clean drinking water, supporting vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and expanding access to broadband internet.
For more information about how funds can be used, go to the US Department of the Treasury Quick Reference Guide and Fact Sheet.
Project Suggestions and Community Input
The expenditure of this federal allocation may be a multi-year process. The Blandford Select Board is engaging in the development of a plan for these expected funds that will entail project suggestions from departments, Finance Committee, as well as the community.
To propose a project and make a suggestion for fund allocation, please complete and submit an ARPA Public Input Form here.
Submitted project suggestions are due by October 22, 2021. All other project suggestions thereafter will be reviewed on a rolling basis contingent upon the direction of the Select Board.
Once we receive the suggestions, the Select Board at that time will review and prioritize projects in accordance to top identified priorities of the town and that are going to have the greatest impact possible. The Select Board looks forward to take into consideration eligible project suggestions that are in line with (but not limited to) advancing strategic priorities outlined in the town’s Resilient Master Plan, Open Space and Recreation Plan, and Local Rapid Recovery Plan.
Questions?
Any questions, contact the Town Administrator at (413) 848-4279, ext. 502 or [email protected].