SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – Spokane County is projected to receive approximately $101 million in economic relief funds through the federally funded American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021. Each city in Spokane County will also receive separate ARP funds for use in their respective jurisdictions.
As part of the Commissioners’ continued community outreach, the Board has now initiated an online project request form for individuals and organizations to submit specific ideas to be funded. This is not an application tool to receive ARP funds, but a way to provide ideas to the Board of County Commissioners as they work to develop the County’s ARP plan for our community.
The online project submission tool is accessed on the Spokane County website by visiting: www.spokanecounty.org/4895/American-Rescue-Plan using the “Informal ARP Project Request” link.
The ARP program provides resources to fight the pandemic, support families and businesses struggling with public health and economic impacts, to maintain vital public services, and to build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.
Although the ARP funds are similar to the CARES Act funds passed in 2020, there are some key differences between the two streams of funding. ARP funds are restricted to certain types of eligible projects. As projects and programs are considered, it will be important for recipients of ARP funding to understand both the eligibility and reporting requirements of this new funding.
The Board of Spokane County Commissioners are working to formulate a strategy for distribution of these funds. As part of that effort, last November the Commissioners initiated an online survey for individuals and businesses to submit ideas and recommendations on how to prioritize the eligible uses of these funds.
In early January, the Commissioners hosted a meeting with business, community, and non-profit leaders, as well as elected officials from cities and towns within Spokane County who have also received ARP funding, to discuss regional ideas on how to best utilize these funds.
This online project request form is another important tool that the Commissioners will use to help formulate a strategy for distribution of these funds in the coming months.