American Rescue Plan

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts. The ARP includes $350 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Cumberland County’s allocation is $65 million. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has established eligible uses for the funding and published an Interim Final Rule.

The Board of Commissioners established a three-member ARP committee which includes Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, the committee chairman; Commissioner Glenn Adams, the board’s vice chairman; and Commissioner Dr. Toni Stewart. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners conducted a survey and held community input sessions in July.

Funds can be used to cover eligible costs incurred between March 3, 2021, and Dec 31, 2024. Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026. 

Eligible uses of funds include:

• Support public health expenditures.
  Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and address disparities for health outcomes. 
• Address negative economic impacts.
  Respond to economic impact to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.
• Provide premium pay for essential workers.
  Offer additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors. 
• Invest in water and sewer infrastructure.
  Make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water and invest in sewer infrastructure.
• Invest in broadband infrastructure.
  Make necessary investments to provide unserved or underserved locations with new or expanded broadband service.

ARP 2021 Community Survey Responses

ARP 2021 Community Meetings