THE RECOVERY FUND AND EQUITYThe Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which NACo helped to develop and strongly advocated to pass, allocates $65.1 billion. These funds provide direct, flexible aid for every county, parish and borough in America. Counties are on the front lines in delivering this aid to residents and are a driving force connecting communities and strengthening the economy. As directed by the ARPA and the U.S. Department of Treasury, counties can invest Recovery Funds into a broad range of programs, services and projects under five categories to: support the public health response; address negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19; replace lost revenue; provide premium pay to essential workers; and invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. Since the enactment of the ARPA, America’s counties have been working hard to develop Recovery Fund implementation plans that will help spur an equitable economic recovery across the nation. As sound financial stewards, counties are investing these critical Recovery Funds to ensure the health and well-being of our nation’s residents and the economic vitality of our local communities. Many counties are in the preliminary stages of development and implementation of Recovery Fund Plans. This report highlights county investments such as assistance for diverse business owners, health equity initiatives and flexible assistance to low-income households. |
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX ACROSS THE NATION
The social vulnerability index measures a number of factors such as poverty, lack of transportation and poor housing conditions that may weaken a community’s capacity to respond to a disaster or external stress. Across the nation, there are varied levels of social vulnerability that exacerbate inequities and can make residents more susceptible to COVID-19’s negative economic and social impacts.
Map: 2018, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
COUNTIES PLAN TO INVEST RECOVERY FUNDS TO:
COUNTIES ARE INTEGRATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION INTO KEY GOVERNMENT SERVICES
How will counties invest the funds? NACo analysis of 200 county ARPA Recovery Fund plans reveals county-designed investments in the community across key areas of need. These local priorities are found within county plans at the rate displayed in the chart, e.g. forty-three percent of county plans include investments in diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives. The darker bars are the investment categories adjacent to equity that support the continuation and expansion of services in counties. The examples in this report further illustrate the allocations to support equitable programs and services on the local level.
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