Like every city across this nation, COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on our people, our businesses and our livelihoods. With an infusion of federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest a strategic and direct flow of large-scale funding into our community, in the amount of $145 million.
The City of Akron began receiving money in 2021, must allocate all funds by the end of 2024, and must expend all funds by 2026. Information, resources and a dashboard link will be available here as the process continues and evolves over the next several years.
ARPA Funds may be used for:
- Support the Public Health Response
Meet and address emergent public health needs
- Respond to the Negative Economic Impacts
Address economic harm resulting from or exacerbated by the public health emergency
- Premium Pay for Essential Workers
Provide premium pay to eligible workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency
- Revenue Loss
Provide government services to the extent of reduction in revenue experienced due to COVID-19
- Investments in Infrastructure
Meet the critical need for investments and improvements to existing infrastructure in water, sewer, and broadband and Local Fiscal Relief Fund
Community Engagement
(COMING SOON) Citywide Dashboard – This dashboard will be updated often for a transparent view of City spending on programs, infrastructure, and neighborhood specific projects.
Informational sessions available for viewing at www.youtube.com/akroncitycouncil.
Information
Guidehouse Council Presentation
City of Akron Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program
Applications are currently open! Deadline for applying is Oct. 31, 2022.
As outlined in Mayor Dan Horrigan's Five Point Framework to Reduce Community Violence, the City will tackle youth and community violence with a robust, sustainable, culturally competent approach, building on the priorities established by the Youth Violence Prevention Strategic Plan. The City has set aside approximately $10 million of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to provide grants and technical assistance to support eligible local organizations that are working to prevent violence from occurring, stop the progression of violence, and rehabilitate individuals with a history of violent behavior. The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grant Program is open to nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations, as well as healthcare organizations that provide care to individuals experiencing trauma exacerbated by the pandemic. The City hopes to award an initial allocation of approximately $450,000 in grant funding by December 2021. The VIP grant application will remain open on a rolling basis over the next several years, with additional funding awards being made quarterly through 2022.
The first round of Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grants have been awarded to 11 local organizations. See the press release for more information here.
Video: Grant Application Tutorial
