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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in Northampton
Public Input
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and Northampton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Commission invite all Northampton residents and community members as well as Northampton-based businesses, nonprofits and organizations to share input about the use of Northampton’s ARPA funds at eight listening sessions to be held at different locations and times in Northampton and Florence. The Commission will also be soliciting feedback on the development of the application process to ensure equitable access for all members of the community. The community is invited to share their thoughts on the current needs of Northampton as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listening Sessions Schedule:
City Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 212 Main St. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94633260467?pwd=ZU1zWWhGYy9SSlpsUnNQTmxtc2JxQT09 |
Jackson Street School, 120 Jackson St., Cafeteria |
Zoom link: |
Union Station, 125A Pleasant St. |
Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. |
Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St., Florence |
Zoom link: |
Florence Heights Community Room, 178 Florence Road, Florence |
Advisory Commission Members
- Barbara Black
- Clare Morenon
- Dorothy Nemetz
- Elena Huisman
- Heather Warner
- Karen Foster, City Council Vice-President/Ward 2
- Lionel Romain
- Pamela Schwartz
- Peter Whalen
- Rich Cooper
- Stanley Moulton, Ward 1 City Councilor
- Vince Jackson
Presentations
Survey Results Presentation to the ARPA Commission
ARPA Presentations to City Council
Developing a Transparent, Strategic & Equitable Plan for Northampton's Federal COVID-19 Funding
Overview
- On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a far-reaching COVID recovery measure proposed by the Biden-Harris Administration.
- This $1.9 trillion measure provides direct financial relief to Americans, assistance to businesses, and aid to states, counties, and municipalities.
- In total, Northampton will receive $21,747,984.00 in ARPA funds over the course of the next two years. All of the funding must be committed by December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026.
How can Northampton Spend the Money?
There are four acceptable categories of use:
- Respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.
- Pay workers providing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue to the city due to the COVID-19 public health emergency in the most recent full fiscal year.
- Make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
Goals for Distributing ARPA Funds
- Seek extensive input and feedback from the community to help structure the city's use of ARPA funding
- Design a transparent, accessible, and equitable project selection process for allocating funds
- Prioritize projects, people, businesses, and organizations with a focus on those most impacted by COVID-19
- Leverage other state and federal resources to maximize Northampton’s ARPA funding
- Cover the city’s costs to administer ARPA funds