Title Chief Administrative Office and Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Award 169 Small Business COVID-19 Economic Impact Grants to eligible recipients, in a cumulative amount of $2,121,133;
2) Approve use of the Small Business COVID-19 Economic Impact Grant agreement template; and
3) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, to execute grant awards and all other documents necessary to award Economic Impact Grants.
FUNDING: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which allocated $1.9 trillion to assist in the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has received a direct allocation of $37.46 million. Approximately $18.7 million was received in June 2021 and the second payment totaling an additional $18.7 million was received in June 2022.
On July 13, 2021 (File No. 21-1080, Item No. 23), following a presentation on eligible and ineligible uses for ARPA funding, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) was directed to return by the end of October 2021 with recommendations regarding the use of ARPA funding.
On November 9, 2021 (File No. 21-1680, Item No. 34), the Board approved allocation of ARPA funding for multiple purposes, including an allocation of $4,135,060 in ARPA SLFRF funding for the support of small businesses and/or nonprofits, following recommendations by the CAO and the Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division. The Board directed staff to begin with a grant program for nonprofits and to return with recommendations.
Based on the initial round of review and staff’s recommendation, on April 25, 2022 (File No. 22-0664, Item No. 3), the Board approved awarding twenty-three (23) Non-Profit COVID-19 Economic Impact Grant...
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