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.
đ Hm. The Infrastructure Bill is huge, like New Deal-huge. So why might some transit agencies have trouble getting the funds? Find out below. đ
Upcoming Deadlines
The deadline to apply for EDAâs FY22 âBuild to Scaleâ program is a month away, on June 13, 2022.
News from MSP Cities and Counties
Hennepin County: As the one-time money from the American Rescue Plan and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act runs out at the end of 2024, Hennepin County homelessness services are facing a $13 million-a-year fiscal cliff. Unless a sustainable source of replacement funding is found, local shelters risk sliding backward.
Minneapolis: The city plans to invest $3 million in federal funds to end childhood lead poisoning from rental housing. On Tuesday morning, Mayor Jacob Frey, city leadership and community partners highlighted the proposed investment in American Rescue Plan Act funding, which Frey previously announced in his 2022 State of the City address.
Washington County: The Board of Commissioners agreed to amend the countyâs American Rescue Plan Act April 19, to allow for programs for employment training and transitional housing. Guidance for use of funds changed last May, and county will now use funds to change the scope of the Career Pathways System Project to include adults.
Minnesota News
Important Updates to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and Implementation Plan Request for Proposals: On Monday, April 11, 2022, Minnesota Housing published a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting interested parties to submit proposals for the purpose of developing and executing a HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval. The deadline for responses to the RFP has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Frontline Workers: Minnesota Legislature discussed a deal that appropriates $500 million to distribute bonuses to up to 667,000 frontline pandemic workers in Minnesota. But it also spends $2.7 billion to repay a federal loan and refill the stateâs unemployment insurance trust fund. Paying such bonuses was one of four explicitly stated uses for the $350 billion sent to states under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) last spring.
Bill Signing: Governor Walz joined frontline workers and small business owners to sign a bill providing direct payments to frontline workers and replenish the unemployment trust fund. Details for the direct payments to frontline workers, including the application process are available here.
Governor's Council on Economic Expansion: The Council met on Monday, May 9th. Watch the recording of the meeting here.
National News
IIJA:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a sprawling $1.2 trillion spending bill that includes nearly $40 billion in additional money for local public transit, is about to force transit agencies and local governments to find new revenues to match the beefed-up federal grant dollars. Difficult choices will need to be made now, or IIJA grant dollars will be left on the table.
The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law in November 2021, is already starting to drive funding to some of Americaâs most important and chronically underfunded infrastructure projects.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Rent Stabilization: Join the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on May 20th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Lessons Learned from Implementing Rent Stabilization Policies This is the third session of a four-part webinar series. Register here.
Small Business Expo: The Chinese American Chamber of Commerce-MN, and MN Hmong Chamber of Commerce and Partners will be hosting the 1st annual AAPI Small Business Expo tomorrow, May 14th at Metropolitan State University. Register here.
Latino Community Foundation: On May 18th at 6:00 pm, hear from the experts about how we can mobilize Latinos around the American Rescue Plan. Register here.
Resources
5 Tips for a Successful âBuild to Scaleâ Grant Application: This yearâs record $45 million funding opportunity is designed to build capacity in regional innovation economies so that innovative technology companies can start and grow. Here is a list compiled of some tips and resources for a successful grant applicant.
National Conference of State Legislatures: This six-part brief series examines state CSFRF spending priorities a year after the program launched and showcases examples to help inform policymakers as they combat the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NaCo: The Outreach Toolkit for Counties: the FCCâs Affordable Connectivity Program outlines how counties are using the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to provide internet service for eligible households. The toolkit highlights Hennepin County, among other counties across the U.S.
Have a great weekend, all!
Allison
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