Welcome to the Friday Update from the Federal Funding Hub!
This message shares news and resources so that our region can make the most of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other federal funding.
EDA News
Apply ASAP: Due to the high volume of applications, EDA strongly recommends that applicants contact their local representative to discuss their region’s availability of funds. While the Notices of Funding Opportunity for the Economic Adjustment Assistance and Indigenous Communities programs advise to submit applications no later than March 31, 2022, EDA strongly recommends applicants to submit proposals as soon as possible for these programs.
Federal Funding News – National
Small Cities: Read about the challenges that small cities are facing with the new $1 trillion dollar infrastructure law.
IIJA Hub: The new Brookings Federal Infrastructure Hub tool is an interactive database of every IIJA program, spending details, and key characteristics.
Small Business: Many opportunities remain for states to innovate and adapt how they use ARPA funds to support the small business and commercial corridor recovery.
Federal Funding News – Minnesota
State ARPA money. The Governor's Council on Economic Expansion met on February 14th to discuss Minnesota’s demographic and economic forecast and complete engagement and process design.
Housing Solicitations: Ramsey County opened two solicitations to increase and preserve the supply of affordable housing across the county using ARPA dollars.
Savage: The City of Savage explores options for spending $3.53 million in ARPA dollars.
Upcoming Webinars
The White House Webinars: A series of 12 webinars over the coming weeks will help local leaders and others get familiar with funding opportunities in the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure law. Upcoming sessions include electric vehicles on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. CT. Other sessions to come include: public transportation ; railroads, roads, bridges and major projects; safety; clean energy and power; water; resilience; environmental remediation; and broadband.
Livable Communities: Join ELGL for Unpacking Federal Funding Opportunities to Create More Livable Communities on February 22nd at 1pm.
Behavioral Health: Join NACO for Investing ARPA Funds in Behavioral Health Crisis Response on February 22nd at 3pm.
Resources
FAQs: Read the League of Minnesota Cities’ commonly asked questions in allocating ARPA funds.
ARPA Analysis: A National League of Cities analysis of ARPA funds to metropolitan cities.
Final Rule: NACO created an Overview of U.S. Treasury's Final Rule for ARPA Fiscal Recovery Fund.
K12 Education: Listen to this short podcast on how the federal government is giving Ohio schools $4.4 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act for things like hiring more educators and school counselors and increasing pay to attract and retain the best teachers.
Please reach out with questions and ideas regarding federal funding in our region! Also let me know if you have any news or resources you’d like to share.
Allison