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.
What MSP examples got shout-outs in this week’s White House report about ARPA and equity? Find out below!
Upcoming Deadlines
EDA: The deadline to apply for EDA’s FY22 “Build to Scale” program is June 13, 2022.
US DOT: The deadline for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program is September 15, 2022.
News from MSP Cities and Counties
Carver County: Carver County has created its Recovery Plan webpage with ARPA and other Federal stimulus money expenditures included.
Edina: The Edina Theatre is gearing up to reopen this summer following a massive renovation of the historic cinema. The theater has since been allocated $500,000 in funds for renovations, including $200,000 as part of the city’s allotment of federal American Rescue Plan Act money and $300,000 from the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority in the form of a forgivable loan.
Farmington: The City Council agreed to use a portion of $2.51 million American Rescue Plan Act funds for several projects, including a boiler replacement at city hall; an all-inclusive playground equipment at Rambling River Park; a city fiber audit, both internal and external; new parks and recreation software; the demolition of the old Farmington Pool bathhouse, and a Comprehensive Plan update.
Hennepin County: Hennepin County has invested $39.8 million in 33 affordable housing and homeownership projects so far in 2022. In total, these projects will create or preserve more than 2,700 units of affordable housing. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, approved $27.2 million in pandemic recovery funding supporting a wide range of affordable housing projects
Minneapolis: Minneapolis City Council members continued to consider uses for the city's remaining $43 million of American Rescue Plan funding, unanimously agreeing on more funding for business assistance in cultural districts, culturally specific communications to the East African community and streetlights for the Stevens Square neighborhood.
Washington County: The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted a grant of $139,992 May 24 from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office to pay for assistive voting equipment. Assistive voting devices are required by federal law to be available in each polling place, which allows for private and independent voting for voters with disabilities. The required match is funded using two sources, $77,935.83 from the 2022 Help America Vote Act Grant and $62,056.97 from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Minnesota News
Minnesota Legislature:
Minnesota Legislature adjourns 2022 regular session without passing tax cut, spending bills. With more money to spend than any previous even-numbered year Legislature, there were resources to do some of what both Republicans and DFLers wanted: tax cuts, new spending and even additional savings. Having $9.25 billion in surplus and more than $1 billion in federal cash from the American Rescue Plan meant both parties could get some of what they wanted.
On Sunday, Minnesota Legislature approves $18.4 million to address drought relief and includes $110 million to help build more high-speed internet infrastructure in Minnesota. The broadband funds are funded through the Amerian Rescue Plan Act.
Governor's Council on Economic Expansion: The Council met on Monday, May 23rd. Watch the recording of the meeting here.
National News
IIJA aka BIL:
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $2.9 billion of funding for major infrastructure projects now available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The funding represents three major discretionary grant programs that will be combined into one Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant opportunity, aka MEGA.
In addition to investments in transportation, energy, water, and broadband infrastructure, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included substantial funding to increase the resilience of communities to climate change and natural disasters, as well as cyber threats.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has granted a temporary waiver for complying with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's new Buy America requirement for construction materials.
Equity:
The Biden administration laid out how it has advanced equity so far with ARPA in a 301-page interim report Tuesday. Check out pages 111 and 112 for highlights from 2 MSP local governments.
Counties are pursuing structural change to redesign systems around making sure the people who need services most are properly identified, targeted and reached.
EDA: Since launching its six American Rescue Plan programs in July 2021, EDA has been working expeditiously to equitably move this critical funding into our communities. Yesterday, EDA celebrated the more than 2,500 communities that designed economic development strategies and submitted projects for this special funding.
NaCo: Treasury releases new information on how counties can access second tranche payments for the ARPA Recovery Fund.
COVID supply rationing: The White House is planning for "dire" contingencies that could include rationing supplies of vaccines and treatments this fall if Congress doesn't approve more money for fighting COVID-19. Biden administration officials have been warning for weeks that the country has spent nearly all the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Addressing the Nation’s Behavioral Health Crisis with Recovery Funds: On June 8th at 2-3 p.m. learn how Ulster County, N.Y., Placer County, Calif. and Clackamas County, Ore. are leveraging ARPA dollars to expand the availability and scope of behavioral health services, invest in local crisis centers and construct rehabilitation centers to strengthen community resources. Register here.
Braiding Philanthropic and Nonprofit Support with ARPA and Infrastructure Funds: The Kresge Foundation is offering an open-access webinar, happening 12-1 p.m. CT on June 17, will be the first of a three-part learning series. The webinar will detail the latest news and practices for philanthropic or nonprofit practitioners interested in braiding investments alongside historic federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). . Register here.
Practical Approaches to Weaving Equity into Public Engagement: Join a panel on June 21st, at 12-1 pm of local government leaders as they take a deeper dive into real life, practical applications of public engagement best practice and equity building. The session is designed to help governments better position themselves and their projects in the highly competitive federal funding environment. Register here.
Building for Success: How Counties can leverage Federal Funds for Workforce Housing: On June 23rd from 2-3 p.m. learn new strategies and ideas from fellow county leaders, top research organizations and NACo staff that can help you leverage federal funds to support your county’s workforce through housing. Register here.
Past Recordings
Rent Stabilization: Watch the recording from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on May 20th on Lessons Learned from Implementing Rent Stabilization Policies This is the third session of a four-part webinar series. Watch it here.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, all!
Allison