How Newton Plans To Spend Its $63M In ARPA Funds

NEWTON, MA —The City of Newton is set to receive approximately $63 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also known as ARPA, and is currently working to develop a plan for how to spend the funding in a way that helps the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newton City Councilors, School Committee members, residents, business owners, community groups, and non-profits have provided input and ideas about where the money should go, said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in her weekly update. The city has between three and five years to use the funds.

"I have set out several goals for how we invest these one-time ARPA funds," said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in her weekly update. "We should seed those initiatives that will help Newtonians and our City not just stabilize and recover but permanently be more resilient, more livable, more vibrant, more inclusive, and more sustainable."

"We should invest the funds using the lens of equity, ensuring all geographic areas of Newton, all ages, all ethnicities and all people are supported while we help those hurt by the pandemic," she continued.

According to the feedback the mayor received from community members, the most common answers on what to spend the funding on include helping those most impacted by the pandemic, including those who have limited resources, are struggling with employment, or were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, helping with the recovery and rebuilding of the city's village centers and commercial corridors, and supporting the operations of Newton Public Schools and the City of Newton.

In light of the feedback received, the mayor said she is moving forward with three initial projects that fit the city's goals and the requirements of APRA, including a community needs assessment specially focused on lower-resourced residents that will cost $50,000, the renovation and expansion of the Newton Free Library's Children Room that will require $2 million in funding, and the creation of a new playground at the Horace Mann Elementary School that will be a $250,000 investment.

Earlier this year, Fuller committed $8.35 million in ARPA funds to supplement the 2022 budget, make up for pandemic holds on repair and paving, and conduct a feasibility study for the Countryside Elementary School. The latest programs will bring the committed total to $10.65 million.