Countdown to the ARPA SLFRF Obligation Deadline: What Local Governments Need to Know Before December 31, 2024

With the December 31, 2024 deadline for obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) quickly approaching, local governments nationwide are assessing how best to allocate these critical resources. Passed in 2021, the ARPA SLFRF provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to counties across the United States. The deadline means local governments must not only allocate these funds but also have contractual commitments in place before the year ends. Here, we break down what this obligation entails, why it matters and how local governments can ensure they meet this significant milestone.