Story County Government: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Applications Open

Press release from the Story County Government:

September 15, 2021

Story County will receive over $18 Million in total funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (also known as ARP; ARPA; Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; CSLFRF; and other names). These funds provide a substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Story County will receive 50% of the funds in 2021 and the other half in 2022. This timeline is set by the Federal government.

This one-time federal government aid represents an historic investment in counties on the front lines of our nation’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. The direct, flexible funding will improve the quality of life for the people living, learning, and working in Story County, provide for immediate recovery needs, and create a long-term investment in Story County’s future. As stewards of the Story County funding, the Board of Supervisors identified the highest and best strategic uses of the funding to serve the citizens of the County including the following three areas. 

The Story County Board of Supervisors is inviting communities, organizations, and external partners to submit proposals for funding consideration. Proposals that will be considered for ARPA funds must address a public need that has been created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and meet usage and timing requirements of the ARPA legislation. Projects should be designed with a strategic public purpose that creates meaningful and long-lasting impact and must be focused on Story County and be administered or located in Story County.Applications for this opportunity are being accepted through 4:30 PM on October 15, 2021. Additional opportunities may be announced at a later date. Application forms are available at https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12673/ARPA-Funds-Application-Story-County-Iowa. Questions regarding the application may be submitted to ARPA@storycountyiowa.gov.

This press release was produced by the Story County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.