The U.S. Treasury allocated $350 billion as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for eligible state and local governments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Treasury, the resources are designed “to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.”

Coweta County received $28,846,132 in ARPA funds. To use the funds locally, they must meet one of the following objectives:

1. To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
2. To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
3. For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and
4. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

For more information regarding the eligible uses of these funds, reference the resources below.

REPORTING

The table below defines the County’s reporting responsibilities under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program.

The Quarterly Project and Expenditure Report submitted in July 2023 reflects the County’s obligations and expenditures through June 30, 2023 by Expenditure Category.

SPOTLIGHT ON ARPA PROJECTS BENEFITTING COWETA COUNTY CITIZENS

• Administrative obligations will provide expanded availability of online government services and upgraded website features. 

• The County expanded the Coweta Cares program from Monday – Friday coverage to 24/7 availability.

• An investment in broadband infrastructure is being made through a contract with Charter Communications to install fiber in unserved/underserved areas in the southwest quadrant of the County. (Note: This does not cover the cost of internet access subscriptions for residents. Upon completion, residents may choose to subscribe to internet service).

• The U.S. Treasury’s final rule allows recipients to utilize up to $10 million for general government services. The Board approved spending the $10 million election to help cover the costs of renovating the former Carmike Cinemas building that will house the tag office and elections office. The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.

• The Board of Commissioners approved seven subaward agreements described in the table below, totaling $1,539,975. These subawards will reimburse local nonprofit organizations for providing services to moderate and low-income households and small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The period of performance for the subawards began on October 3, 2022 and will end on December 31, 2024. Through June 30, 2023, the County has remitted $511,819.48 to the Non-Profit organizations.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

• U.S. Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds

• Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – Quick Reference Guide: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRP-Quick-Reference-Guide-FINAL-508a.pdf

• Interim Final Rule: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-05-17/pdf/2021-10283.pdf

• Final Rule: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule.pdf

ONLINE SURVEY

On September 28, 2021 the County published a survey requesting the public’s input on how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and the community’s preference for spending ARPA funds. The survey remained open for two weeks and closed on October 12, 2021. To see the results of the public survey, click here.