How Cities and Counties Are Using $18B in Federal Funds
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Connecting state and local government leaders
A new tracker includes information on more than 2,300 projects that 150 big cities and counties are directing American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward.
The National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and Brookings Metro created the Local Government American Rescue Act Plan Investment Tracker to showcase innovative, evidence-based, well-targeted uses of American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to a joint press release.
The Local Government ARPA Investment Tracker captures recovery plan data from 41 large cities, 104 large counties and seven consolidated city-counties, representing roughly $18.4 billion in planned investment, or almost 49% of the funding budgeted, the press release says. The tracker categorizes more than 2,300 projects across communities at two levels:
- Seven overall spending groups provide information on community aid, economic and workforce development, government operations, housing, infrastructure, public health and public safety.
- More than 40 spending subgroups provide further detail on the intended use of funds.
Within the tracker’s interactive webpage, users can select search filters to find detailed information by location and type of expenditure.
Project Examples
The tracker provides a window into a crucial, generational experiment in shared governance. Here are some examples of how cities and counties are using the funds:
- In Colorado Springs, Colorado, the community aid spending group is providing funding for parks, recreation and cultural services staff to support after-school and summer programs for underserved populations by expanding existing programs. This project will receive about $650,000.
- In Dane County, Wisconsin, officials will use about $13.2 million over two years to launch and maintain a rehousing initiative. The program will transition households experiencing homelessness into permanent housing through concerted case management services and rental assistance.
- Dutchess County, New York is investing in youth-serving organizations that promote learning, art enrichment and sports activities. This grant program will provide opportunities for children to learn, play and create while filling an educational, financial, social and emotional void resulting from the quarantine. The program will receive approximately $3 million.
The data used in the tracker was extracted from the Recovery Plan Performance Reports submitted by metropolitan cities and counties with populations greater than 250,000.
Andre Claudio is an assistant editor at Route Fifty.
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