Process/Engagement/Transparency Processes for American Rescue Plan Funding

2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Howard County, Md., MD

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About the Program

Category: Financial Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, with the intent of providing funding support to local governments in responding to the impact of COVID-19 and lessening the pandemic’s effects on their communities, residents, and businesses. Howard County, Maryland’s program to manage the ARPA funding has been successful in allocating nearly 80% of the $31.6 million initially distributed by the Federal Government. The addition of extensive public engagement and transparency, and the degree to which this effort has been informed by previous recovery efforts like the HoCo RISE Collaborative, Howard County has not only been successful in effectively allocating the federal funds, but able to leverage an additional $12 million of investment for our residents. The community engagement plan that is imbedded in this process, along with the approach of transparency taken throughout, will help not only inform the process from the public’s feedback, but make it more effective in responding to the impact of COVID-19. It is through these unique elements of this program that Howard County utilizes a new model of managing county finances and improves stewardship of taxpayer resources.

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