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.
News from MSP Cities
Savage: The City released Request for Proposals (RFPs) for 4 projects in mental health, business engagement, and activation events that will be funded under the City's ARPA. Due: March 22 at 4:00 pm.
Edina: The City is sponsoring free high-speed internet for income-qualified residents until the end of December through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. This benefit is made possible using up to $500,000 of the City’s ARPA funding.
Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Schools used $159.4 million that came last March from ARPA.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors: Watch a series of videos from more than two dozen mayors who recently talked about the ARPA’s impact on their cities, including:
Edina’s Mayor James Hovland
Burnsville’s Mayor Elizabeth Kautz
News from MSP Counties
Hennepin County: The board of commissioners allocated ARPA funds to maintain the county’s COVID-19 response, reduce gun violence and upgrade elections equipment.
Scott County:
Officials are exploring the use of federal aid dollars to help close gaps in the mental health care system.
The County outlines how it has used ARPA dollars this year.
Minnesota News
IIJA: Governor Walz joins President Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden in Superior to highlight Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Governor's Council on Economic Expansion: The Council met on February 28th to understand other approaches and frameworks for 10-year economic planning in Minnesota. The next meeting will be next Monday, March 14th at 2pm.
Higher Ed: Minnesota received over $565 million through ARPA for 90 colleges and universities, including $234 million for community colleges.
National News
NACO: As counties celebrate the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act's passage, county officials reflect on its transformative effect.
Housing: How local governments can start their planning process for using these ARPA funds to address the housing crisis.
State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds (SLFRF): The flexibility of SLFRF funding is an invitation to innovate, and the city leaders are thinking creatively.
Broadband: Brownsville, Texas is using ARPA funds to build out 95 miles of "middle-mile" infrastructure to bring high-speed internet to homes in underserved communities.
Upcoming Webinars
The White House Webinars: A series of webinars over the coming weeks will help local leaders and others get familiar with funding opportunities in the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure law.
Water: Tuesday, March 15th at 3 p.m. Register Here
Resilience: Thursday, March 17th at 3 p.m. Register Here
Environmental Remediation: Tuesday, March 22nd at 3 p.m. Register Here
Broadband: Thursday, March 24th at 3 p.m. Register Here
Reentry and Housing: This webinar on April 20, 2022, 11:00 pm – 12:15 pm CT will focus on Secretary Fudge’s guidance encouraging communities to prioritize people in reentry for the 70,000 ARP Emergency Housing Vouchers available nationwide.
Community Engagement: On Thursday, March 31, from 1:00 – 1:45 pm CT, join a live webinar on Investing in Community Engagement using ARPA dollars to invest in long-term recovery.
Resources
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Project Highlights: Treasury released new highlights showing the ways that State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) are making a difference in communities across the country. Read pp. 15-16 on how Minnesota is allocating its ARPA dollars.
U.S. Department of the Treasury: Read about the Impact of the American Rescue Plan after one year.
NACO: Read a legislative analysis for counties of the The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law broken down by Transportation, Water, Broadband, Environmental remediation, Power/Energy, Western water storage and Resiliency.
Cohort Opportunity: A free 6-week cohort will provide an understanding of what constitutes a livable community for people of all ages, highlight specific factors of livability and their positive impact on economic development and growth, and provide an overview of the federal funding opportunities available through ARPA. Applications are due Monday, March 21st.
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 us to share. Allison
Allison Bell GREATER MSP Partnership Lead, Federal Funding Hub 612-670-6603 Book a meeting with me.