Iowa City Today

City of Coralville issued the following announcement on August 6.

Johnson County is seeking community feedback on how to invest $29.3 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The federal funding guidelines require that programs and projects must be tied to one of the following allowable uses and be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024:

• Support public health response;
• Address negative economic impacts;
• Replace public sector revenue loss;
• Provide premium pay to essential workers; and
• Make necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Johnson County invites residents, businesses, and community organizations to provide feedback about their priorities for eligible use of these funds through a series of public input sessions. Public input sessions will take place on the following dates/times:

• Thursday, August 12, 1:30 to 3:00 pm, Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City: Visioning session and roundtable discussion for Johnson County nonprofits and service providers.
• Monday, August 16, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City: Open house listening session for urban communities (Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, and University Heights).
• Monday, September 13, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, location to be determined: Addressing negative economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic (residents, workers, business owners, and impacted    industries).
• Tuesday, September 28, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, location to be determined: Facilitated session for rural residents and small communities in northern Johnson County (Oxford, Tiffin, Solon, Shueyville, Swisher, and unincorporated areas).
• Tuesday, October 12, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, location to be determined: Facilitated session for rural residents and small communities in southern Johnson County (Hills, Lone Tree and unincorporated areas).
• Wednesday, October 27, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Johnson County Administration Building, Board Room, 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City: Comprehensive town hall session (Zoom option available).

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) established the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to help local governments respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. Through this legislation, Johnson County was allocated $29.3 million based on population and is hard at work establishing internal processes, gathering public input, analyzing local needs, and establishing funding priorities to deploy funds in an equitable and compliant manner. 

For more information, please visit www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/arpa.

Original source can be found here.