For Immediate Release: July 6, 2021
On July 6, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a $29.8 million allocation plan for the City’s first half of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The proposed plan was developed to ensure that projects reflect the community’s priorities; are feasible within the December 31, 2024, ARPA funding completion deadline; advance the City’s equity goals; and have lasting impact on the community.
“This assistance from the American Rescue Plan Act will support our residents and business community in many ways for years to come,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “I’m proud of this spending plan, which was developed with significant input from community members to ensure that our investment of these one-time funds equitably delivers on Alexandrians’ needs today and into the future.”
The recommended projects align with the City’s strategic COVID-19 recovery framework goals to ensure that businesses thrive; everyone has access to their basic needs; recovery lifts everyone; and the City makes long-term investments for its future. Thirty projects, ranging in cost between $20,000 and $4 million, meet all goals for funding use and the City’s objectives, and align with the permitted use of the funds. Projects include stormwater enhancements and flooding mitigation; new business and commercial business district support programs; eviction prevention and rental resiliency; arts relief and recovery grants; re-employment and upskilling training; economic stability and tourism investments; and equity initiatives, including digital access and a guaranteed basic income pilot.
In March, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Approximately $360 billion of this one-time aid will be directly allocated to states and localities on a formulaic basis. The City of Alexandria will receive $59.6 million in two equal allocations of $29.8 million. The second-phase spending plan will be further developed in fall 2021, in anticipation of the second funding allotment. The City’s intent for this one-time funding is to improve quality of life in Alexandria, for both the community’s immediate recovery needs and as a long-term investment.
Visit alexandriava.gov/AmericanRescuePlan for more information.
For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact dana.wedeles@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5491, Virginia Relay 711.
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