Survey Will Help Direct HoCo American Rescue Plan Federal Funding

Ellicott City MD

23 September, 2021

5:12 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents and business owners can weigh in as to how Howard County officials utilize American Rescue Plan federal funding. Howard County has been allocated $63.2 million in federal ARP funding, the first half of which will be available for use this fiscal year. Early initiatives that will be funded by ARP include hazard pay, body-worn cameras and foreclosure prevention. "The repercussions of this pandemic are significant, and through the federal American Rescue Plan funding, we will continue to address immediate and long-term challenges," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball saud. "This funding provides an immense opportunity for Howard County – and it's more important than ever that our residents and businesses have the chance to be actively engaged in the process. Through this extensive community engagement plan, and from our extensive HoCo RISE Report, we are confident the use of the American Rescue Plan will set Howard County on a path to emerge from the pandemic stronger than before." In addition to the community survey, there will be a virtual hearing Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. a###a>nd a presentation before the Howard County Council Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. Since late June, county officials have been actively engaged in assessing evolving federal eligibility guidelines and developing proposals for spending American Rescue Plan funding, with more than 200 proposals currently being evaluated at a value of nearly $200 million. American Rescue Plan funding has already been allocated to the following early initiatives: $5 million in hazard pay for county employees who could not work their full-time jobs remotely and had to be onsite during the height of the pandemic.$1.6 million to support the implementation of the body-worn camera program.$2 million to assist struggling homeowners and prevent foreclosures in Howard County.