Iowa City Seeks Public Input On Use Of $18.3 Million In American Rescue Plan Act Funds

Iowa City IA

28 July, 2021

7:51 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Iowa City: July 27, 2021 The City is seeking community input on how to spend $18.3 million awarded to Iowa City through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Residents are invited to participate in a listening session from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, at Mercer Park, 1317 Dover St. City staff will be in attendance to receive input from residents about how ARPA funds should be distributed. Residents can also take an online survey, which is available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Ideas for how to spend the funds can also be sent to [email protected] in your preferred language. These opportunities are part of a larger effort to gather community feedback on how to best spend ARPA funds. City Council and City staff will engage residents, businesses, non-profits, and other community stakeholders through many methods to ensure a transparent process. In March, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes direct allocations to local governments to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Treasury has issued guidance on eligible use of funds. The City has flexibility within broad eligible use categories including: Responding to negative health and economic impacts caused by or made worse by COVID-19 Addressing revenue shortfalls Making necessary water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure investments Providing premium pay to essential workers Of the $18.3 million allocated by the US Treasury to the City; half was received in May, and the remaining balance will be received 12 months later. For more information and resources, please visit www.icgov.org/ARPA. This press release was produced by the City of Iowa City. The views expressed here are the author's own.