American Rescue Plan Act

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that passed Congress in March includes federal funds to help our community recover from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.  The County Commission has the flexibility to use the funds to meet many different local needs. In its guidance, the Treasury explicitly “urges state, territorial, tribal, and local governments to engage their constituents and communities in developing plans to use these payments, given the scale of funding and its potential to catalyze broader recovery and rebuilding."

Allowable Usage of Funds

Five key areas of approved usage for ARPA Fiscal Recovery Funds have been identified by treasury. The Interim Final Rule gives governments the flexibility to use Fiscal Recovery Funds to address the effects that the pandemic had on the local economy.

1. Support Public Health Expenditures: Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care and certain county public health, public safety, human services and other related staff.
   
   
2. Address Negative Economic Impacts: Respond to economic harms to workers, families, small businesses, impacted industries and rehiring of public sector workers (including county staff).
   
   
3. Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss:  Use funds to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced during the pandemic.
   
   
4. Premium Pay for Essential Workers:  Offer additional compensation, up to $13 per hour in additional wages, to those - both county employees and other essential workers in the community - who have faced and continue to face the greatest health risks due to their service.  Funds can be used retroactively back to January 27, 2020.
   
   
5. Water, Sewer and Broadband Infrastrusture:  Make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastrusture and provide unserved or underserved locations with new or expanded broadband access.  

Funds may cover costs from March 3, 2021 through December 24, 2024.

ARPA funding amounts for Jefferson County and incorporated towns:

• Jefferson County Commission - $11,099,941
• Charles Town Corporation - $2,510,000
• Ranson Corporation - $2,180,000
• Shepherdstown Corporation - $800,000
• Bolivar Corporation - $430,000
• Harpers Ferry Corporation - $120,000

Public meetings will be held the 2nd Wednesday each month to review ARPA submissions.  The first special session will be held on October 13, 2021 at 9:30 am in the Jefferson County Commission normal meeting room located in the Charles Town Library. Meetings will be accessible live through GoToWebinar.  Links to obtain an invite to the GoToWebinar will be posted on the Jefferson County Commission Facebook page. In person attendance is limited in number due to COVID 19 restrictions.  All meetings are broadcast live and recorded. To view meetings, please visit the County's website. 

On October 12, 2021, the County implemented an ARPA application portal.  The application portal is powered by the State of West Virginia.  Applicants are directed to this site to complete their request.  Detailed information regarding the project, amount requested, timeline, financial statements, and how the COVID-19 pandemic relates to and impacted this request and your organization.  

Applications are no longer being accepted

ARPA EMS System Expenditures to Date 2022-08-11

ARPA Request Summary-08/22/2022

Links to other resources:

• NACO Overview of US Treasury FINAL RULE for ARPA -Executive Summary 
• WV State American Rescue Plan funding to WV-interactive map
• NACO Overview of US Treasury Interim Final Rule & Guidance
• Treasury Interim Guidance for State and Local Funds-Eligible Uses
• Fact Sheet - Best Practices for Local and State Prioritization of American Rescue Plan Act Funds.5.18.2021 

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