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Chief Administrative Office and Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board approve the allocation of $2,156,128.41 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for Small Businesses and Non-Profits for the proposed Small Business COVID-19 Economic Impact Grant program.
FUNDING: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
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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 is receiving 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 is scheduled to be delivered in June or July 2022.
On July 13, 2021 (File No. 21-1080, Item No. 23), following a presentation on eligible and ineligible uses for APRA 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.
The grant program was developed by staff and the Business Protection Workgroup, and was subsequently publicized through various outreach efforts. The County sent 341 letters announcing the program to all nonprofits in our database. These letters were sent both via certified mail and electronically. In addition to these efforts, the grant opportunity was published on various department web pages and was featured in the Mountain Democ...
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