The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It created the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, together known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program. This program supports state, territorial, local, and tribal governments in addressing the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19.

Van Buren County Funding

Van Buren County received $7,349,685 in ARPA funds in May 2021, which is half of the total $14,699,370. We expect the remaining funds in May 2022. All funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners formed an ARPA Funding Committee to oversee the use of these funds. The Committee is now seeking project proposals for fund use.

Proposal Process

The proposal deadline is May 31, 2022. Proposals submitted after this date will not be accepted. All proposals will be reviewed by the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners at the Committee of the Whole meeting. The board will decide to move the proposal forward, request more information, table it, or deny it. Approved proposals will be reviewed again at the next Board of Commissioners meeting for final approval. As projects are approved, available funds will decrease.

There is no set timeframe for review and decision on individual proposals. The County Administrator will communicate results as needed.

This process helps the County determine the best uses of CSLFRF funds. However, the County may consider proposals outside this process at its discretion.

Proposal Requirements

All proposals must follow ARPA fund guidelines. For more details, see the U.S. Department of Treasury FAQs (PDF). Proposals must identify the expenditure category and provide justification. The categories are:

• Category 1: Support Public Health Response – Address the COVID-19 public health emergency or its economic impacts.
• Category 2: Address Negative Economic Impacts – Respond to economic harms to workers, families, small businesses, and industries.
• Category 3: Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities – Address health disparities, build stronger communities, and support education.
• Category 4: Premium Pay for Essential Workers – Provide premium pay to eligible county workers. Department heads should email eligible employee lists to county administration.
• Category 5: Broadband, Water, and Sewer Infrastructure – Invest in necessary water/sewer infrastructure and broadband access.
• Category 6: Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss – Provide government services to offset revenue loss due to the public health emergency.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds page.