American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the United States Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. It was meant to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding package built upon the CARES Act from March 2020 and its extension in December 2020. ARPA provided a total of $350 billion in assistance for eligible state and local governments to respond to the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

US Treasury Fact Sheet (PDF)

Clay County Funds

  • $12.4 million of ARPA funding came directly from the federal government to Clay County.

Timeline

Funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Clay County received 50% of the funds in 2021 and received the other half in 2022. This timeline was set by the federal government.

Guidance for Use of the Funds

State and local governments can use the funds to cover costs obligated by December 31, 2024, for certain purposes, including:

  • Responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including providing assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality;
  • Responding to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
  • Strengthening support for vital public services by replacing lost public sector revenue; and making necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

Clay County Distribution Plans

Clay County received $12.4 million in federal relief funds as part of ARPA . The Clay County Board of Commissioners created a committee to oversee the distribution of those funds.  The ARPA Committee worked on allocating the funds by setting priorities within the allowed use of the funds. Once the ARPA Committee selected appropriate projects for funding, the Clay County Board of Commissioners approved the expenditures.