American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government created the American Rescue Plan to provide direct relief to Americans, contain the effects of COVID, and rebuild the economy. Municipalities across the country have received financial support to assist in ongoing recovery efforts. The City of Kingston received $17.3 million in American Rescue Plan funding to support its efforts through 2026.
The latest information about the City's progress with the funds is summarized in the regularly updated ARPA Spending Plan Report.
In 2021, the City hired Laberge Group to facilitate the creation of Kingston’s Economic Recovery Plan. The Plan follows all federal guidelines, incorporates extensive community input, and builds upon existing community projects, while supporting new initiatives that support recovery from the pandemic. The Plan, which was the direct result of input from the public was approved by the Kingston Common Council in April 2022.
In September 2022, Mayor Steve Noble appointed Kingston resident and former Common Council member Bill Reynolds to oversee the Economic Recovery Plan and manage Kingston’s ARPA fund.
Reynolds is responsible for coordinating ARPA projects and expenditures, ensuring that funds are properly accounted for. Kingston’s Economic Recovery Plan, which incorporated months of community outreach and input, can be found on this page under “Documents.”
The purposes of this page is to keep the public continually informed on Kingston's ARPA activities, as programs and projects outlined in the plan are implemented. Documents on the right hand column of this page contain documents and weblinks designed to achieve this purpose. Readers who have questions are encouraged to contact Reynolds.
Designated project areas in the Economic Recovery Plan including the following:
- Arts, Cultural, & Tourism Development Projects - $1,042,500
- Business Districts Development/Business (Re)Development Fund Projects - $1,200,000
- Housing Action Projects - $4,757,500
- Non-Profit Service Support - $1,225,000
- Parks & Greenways Improvement Fund - $1,250,000
- Public Health Projects - $2,125,000
- Vital Community Infrastructure Projects - $4,545,000
- Administration, Program Delivery, and Premium Pay - $1,555,000
According to federal guidelines, ARPA funds may be used by local governments to:
- cover costs associated with responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts;
- support workers performing essential work during the emergency;
- cover revenue losses caused by the emergency; and
- make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
Watch this American Rescue Plan Act Public Meeting:
During two public meetings, one of which is featured below, representatives from the City of Kingston and Laberge Group explained the Economic Recovery Plan process, identified strengths and opportunities for the City of Kingston, discussed challenges facing Kingston’s economic recovery, and solicited project ideas to advance economic recovery. Watch here in English or Spanish.
Vea la reunión en español a continuación:
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