With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), funding for states and local governments have been allocated via the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF). Georgia was eligible for $4.8 billion in funding and received the first tranche ($2.4b) on May 20, 2021. The application portal for applicants to apply for funding from the state is now open. (August 1-August 31, 2021)*
As per interim final rule, ARPA CSLFR funding is dispersed with defined eligible uses.
Recipients may use these funds to:
- Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff
- Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector
- Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
- Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet
Per the Georgia Office of Planning and Budget, the eligible uses for the 1st tranche of funding dispersed from the state have more constrained eligible uses that fall under the umbrella of the above detailed items.
At this time the state has allocated its funding to address the following focus areas:
Broadband, Water, Sewer Infrastructure Investments:
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.
Negative Economic Impact Investments:
- Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.
For more detailed descriptions of projected project scope for investments click here. (pg. 9)
*The period for performance on state funding is from 3/3/2021-12/31/2026, and the State must obligate all funds by December 31, 2024.
Entities Eligible to Receive Funding
Government Organizations
- State Agencies
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
Georgia Professional Associations and Organizations
- Industry Trade Associations
- Business Organizations
- Trade or Professional
- Non-Profit Organizations
For more information on completing a Georgia’s State Fiscal Recovery Fund application, or to learn more about available funding for Economic Recovery and Relief, please contact Noah Roenitz, NEGRC Economic Resilience Coordinator.
