American Rescue Plan Act - Recovery Fund

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Boston-Thurmond Community Network is one of the City’s ARPA-enabled Transformational grantees. BTCN was awarded $2,465,503. Boston-Thurmond is a pivotal residential neighborhood just north of downtown Winston-Salem, along University Parkway. The neighborhood footprint encompasses 14th, Cherry, and E. 25th Streets, and stretches from Northwest Boulevard to Coliseum Drive. Approximately 3,600 residents call Boston-Thurmond home. As of September 11, 2023, BTCN has closed on the building located at 2530 Pittsburg Avenue. Next, BTCN plans to meet with the Public Arts Commission and City staff so they can secure artists to begin the public/inclusive art project as a part of their ARPA-Enabled funding.

Boston Thurmond building

Background

The city received $51.7 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Money for the fund was included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that Congress passed in March 2021. 

The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund is designed to give cities flexibility in responding to the health emergency and in funding projects, programs, or organizations that were economically impacted by the pandemic. In addition to programs specific to pandemic response and recovery, certain improvements to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure also can be funded, as well as programs or improvements for low-income census tracts. For more information on the American Rescue Plan Act, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury's website.

The City is committed to these principles in spending ARPA funds:

  • Transparency. The city will be open and transparent with all uses of ARPA funds, including holding public input sessions and creating public-facing dashboards.
  • Restoration. The city will use part of the funds to provide assistance to city operations and the local economy affected by COVID-19.
  • Transformation. The city will be outcome-oriented in the use of funds and will document progress made in specific and in strategic priority areas.
  • Fiscal Soundness. Because the funds are one-time in nature, the city will seek not to create recurring obligations using these funds.
  • Equity. All program and grant expenditures will undergo an equity review to ensure resources are equitably distributed throughout the community.

As of January 2023, the City Council approved taking the U.S. Treasury allowed "Revenue Replacement" method, which was calculated to be about $49 million. Doing so enabled the City to more effectively partner with non-profit agencies and City departments (without as heavy of compliance burden).

ARPA-Enabled Spending Dashboard

Transformational Grants Program. The City allocated $10.5 million in transformational grants to community organizations. A total of 15 projects were funded to address community resiliency, crime, workforce development, literacy, the arts, resource development and access to resources, etc. Projects are now in progress with funds to be expended by December 2026. 

To see the applications submitted for funded projects, click on the TRANSFORMATIVE GRANTS button.

Timeline

  • September 18, 2023 - City Council approves Permanent Financing for 216-unit multifamily Rental Development known as The Lofts at Motor Road - Wynnefield Properties, Inc. - $6,579,000 (Northeast Ward). Learn more.
  • September 11, 2023-The Community Development/Housing/General Government Committee heard a presentation on the proposed project at Indiana Avenue located in the (North Ward), which intends to create a multifamily development of one hundred eighty units (180). The developer seeking funds for the affordable housing project is Wynnefield Properties.  Learn more.
  • August 21, 2023 – The City Council amended, granted, and ratified the City Manager’s authority from the October 2022,-November 2022, and January 2023 resolutions to be able to provide Transformational Grant Program grantees an avenue for initiating projects with 25% of the total award upfront and then switching to reimbursement on a monthly basis thereafter. Learn more.
  •  August 14, 2023 - The Community Development/Housing/General Government Committee received an update on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-Enabled Framework and Grant Expenditures. Learn more.  On August 14, the CD/H/GG committee also heard information on a potential special project: The Lofts at Motor Rd. The Lofts at Motor Rd. is a two-hundred sixteen-unit (216) multi-family affordable housing development, which could be granted $6,579,533. The City Council will hear more about this project in September. Learn more. 
  • March 25-29, 2023 - Several City Council Members traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities' Congressional City Summit. While there, City Council Members met with our federal delegation (Senate and House representatives) and provided them with a briefing sheet on ARPA-Enabled Funds. Learn more. 
  • January 17, 2023 - City Council approves $350,000 to Smart Start of Forsyth County for Pre-K Initiatives as part of the City's Crime Prevention Plan. Learn more. 
  • January 3, 2023 - City Council approves an additional $4 million in Transformational Grants to community organizations and $500,000 for land acquisition in the Northeast Ward. Learn more.
  • November 14, 2022 - City Council approves $1.7 million in Housing and Neighborhood Development projects. Learn more.
  • October 17, 2022 - City Council approves $6 million in Transformational Grants to community organizations. Learn more.
  • September 19, 2022 - City Council approves $2 million for a partnership with WinstonNet to implement a Digital Equity Pilot Program. Learn more.
  • August 29, 2022 - Staff provides an update on the 89 proposals received through the Transformational Grants application. Learn more.
  • March 28, 2022 - City Council approves revenue replacement, in alignment with UNC School of Government best practices for management of ARPA funds. Learn more.
  • February 21, 2022 - City Council approves a set-aside of $10.5 million for a transformational grants program. Learn more.
  • December 2021 Update public briefing -- Recovery grant eligibility and application preview. Watch in English. View the PowerPoint Presentation slide deck. 
  • November 15, 2021 - City Council approves a recovery grants program to support businesses and non-profits. Learn more.
  • November 2021 Update public briefing -- Grant eligibility, prioritization, and administration. Watch in English. 
  • October 2021 Update public briefing – Allocation plan overview. Watch in English. Watch in Spanish.
  • September 15, 2021 - UPDATED: Map of Qualified Census Tracts. Go to the map.
  • August 23, 2021 - Special workshop of the City Council on potential Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Learn more. Or, watch the meeting.
  • August 16, 2021 - City Council resolved to accept the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Learn more.
  • April 28, 2021 - Public Input meeting on the American Rescue Plan Act. Watch the meeting.
  • April 5, 2021 - Update on the Next Steps for the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more.
  • March 15, 2021 - Update on the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more.