American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

American Rescue Plan Act

In May 2021, Clallam County was awarded $15,020,640 of federal stimulus funding from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds ("ARPA Funds") under Section 603(b) of the Social Security Act, as amended by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA Act"). The County received the first half of these funds on May 28, 2021, with the 2nd half of these funds received by the County in June, 2022.

As outlined in the ARPA Final Rule and FAQ guidance provided by the U.S. Treasury, ARPA Funds can be utilized in support of the following purposes:

• To respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
• To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
• For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency;
• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and
• To address the disparate impact of COVID-19 on certain populations and geographics, additional eligible services may include:
  1. Addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health, including community health workers, public benefits navigators, remediation of lead paint or other lead hazards, and community violence intervention programs;
  2. Building stronger neighborhoods and communities, including supportive housing and other services for individuals experiencing housing or food insecurity, development of affordable housing, and housing vouchers and assistance relocating to neighborhoods with higher levels of economic opportunity;
  3. Addressing educational disparities exacerbated by COVID-19, including: early learning services, increasing resources for high-poverty school districts, educational services like tutoring or afterschool programs, and supports for students' social, emotional, and mental health needs; and
  4. Promoting healthy childhood environments, including: child care, home visiting programs for families with young children, and enhanced services for child welfare-involved families and foster youth

For more information on how ARPA funds can be used, please refer to the US Treasury Department's Final Rule (PDF), National Association of Counties ARPA Final Rule Overview (PDF) and the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub.

ARPA Funds Obligated to Date (March 31, 2023)

In a Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Work Session held on July 6, 2021, the BOCC identified eight priority areas that they indicated support for allocating ARPA Funds, to include;

• Local Small Business and Non-Profit Economic Assistance;
• Assistance to Businesses and Non-Profits that provide Child Care Services;
• Mental/Behavioral Health;
• Food Security Support to Local Food Banks;
• Affordable Housing/Homelessness Support;
• Residential and Commercial Utility Relief;
• Local Water and Sewer Systems Infrastructure; and
• Broadband Expansion.

On April 18, 2022 the Clallam County Commissioners determined the uncommitted remainder of ARPA funds will be categorized under a "Lost Revenue Standard Allowance" to provide Clallam County the maximum flexibility in how remaining funds can be utilized, to include:

• Provision of government services as defined in the Final Rule;
• Construction of schools and hospitals;
• Road building and maintenance, and other infrastructure;
• Health services;
• General government administration, staff, and administrative facilities;
• Environmental remediation;
• Provision of police, fire, and other public safety services.