ARP Funding - City of Hendersonville
ARP Funding - City of Hendersonville
The City of Hendersonville has been awarded $4.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds.
City Council’s vision is to use ARP dollars to fund transformative projects that address difficult community needs. Before selecting specific projects to fund, City Council wants to hear from the community to help determine priorities.
The American Rescue Plan requires the City of Hendersonville to invest in programs or services that fall within specific categories.
Please rank the following community needs in order of highest priority to lowest priority in terms of where ARP funds should be spent.
What is the Vision of City Council for this funding?
City Council’s vision is to use ARP dollars to fund eligible transformative projects that address difficult community needs. Before selecting specific projects to fund, City Council wants to hear from the community to help determine priorities.
What can ARP funds be used for?
Public Health – Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare and certain public health and safety staff
Water & Sewer – Make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water and invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure
Premium Pay – Offer additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure
Revenue Loss – Use funds to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
Economy – Respond to negative economic impacts to workers, families, small businesses, nonprofits, or impacted industries
What is not allowed?
Contributions to rainy day funds that would create savings for future spending rather than responding to immediate pandemic and recovery needs
Deposits into defined benefit pension funds unless for routine payroll contributions to pensions for employees whose wages are an eligible use
Funds cannot be used for paying any debt incurred prior to March 3, 2021
General infrastructure spending outside of the eligible uses
Legal settlements or judgments except for any services that would respond to the public health emergency
What has the U.S. Treasury recommended as possible projects to fund?
Provide assistance to those households, businesses, and non-profit communities most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Consider funding uses that foster strong, inclusive, and equitable recovery, especially uses with long-term benefits for health and economic outcomes.
To prioritize providing retrospective premium pay where possible, recognizing that many essential workers have not yet received additional compensation for work conducted over the course of many months.
Consider projects to replace lead service lines.
Consider green infrastructure investments and projects to improve resilience to the effects of climate change.
Engage their constituents and communities in developing plans to use these payments, given the scale of the funding and its potential to catalyze broader economic recovery and rebuilding.
What are examples of possible projects?
Contain COVID 19 and Address Public Health Needs
Healthcare resources, Public assistance programs, Building healthier environments, Funding evidenced-based community violence intervention programs, Increase access to behavioral health care services (Mental health treatment and Substance misuse treatment )
Invest In Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Improvements to Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Expansion of wastewater collection systems to address failing septic tanks, Replace of water distribution systems to eliminate lead service lines, Consolidation of small utility systems, Stormwater collection system repairs and replacement
Address Negative Economic Impact
Programs or services that address housing insecurity and homelessness , Food Assistance, Emergency Assistance (Burials, Home Repair, Weatherization), Rent, Mortgage or Utility Assistance, Job Training
What is the timeline for allocating and spending the funds?
City Council is seeking public input during January and February 2022 to assist in determining how to spend the funds. Applications submitted from non-profits in 2021 will be evaluated for eligibility and alignment with community needs. Funding priorities will be set at the May 2022 City Council meeting.
All funding must be appropriated by December 2024 and spent by December 2026.
In order to ensure compliance and meet the extensive demands of ARP rules and guidelines the City is hiring a Grant Accountant position in the finance department. The City of Hendersonville is developing compliance plans.