I. American Rescue Plan Update
While local governments wait for guidance from the U.S. Treasury on the parameters for the aid from the American Rescue Plan, it is important for municipalities begin to plan how to disburse the funds and remember these best practices:
Utilize dedicated grants and program funding whenever possible
Assess government operations and community needs. Engage with community partners
Prioritize fiscal stability and returning to work
Maintain records and document successes
Include your members of Congress in any success story you share.
The deadline to spend this money is December 31, 2024; so while time is of the essence, it does not need to occur immediately. As a reminder, the funds will be distributed in two tranches, 50% this year and 50% next year.
Lastly, the National League of Cities is creating a database of how federal funding has been spent. If you received funding in the CARES Act please share with them how your municipality spent the funds by March 30, 2021.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x110.