Guide to Local Recovery Update: April 20
The White House has released new resources to help rural cities understand and navigate the federal infrastructure law, including a 17-page playbook about rural-specific programs. Additionally, multiple federal agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Transportation, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration, have released recovery resources and webinars for cities of all sizes.
New federal infrastructure resources for rural communities
The White House has released a playbook to help rural communities take full advantage of funding opportunities made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The 17-page playbook identifies programs, funding sources, critical flexibilities, and benefits set aside for rural communities in the federal infrastructure package. It highlights investments related to broadband connectivity, job creation, transportation, drinking water, climate change mitigation, electric infrastructure, and more.
The White House also released a rural cost-share analysis, which includes more than 100 programs with cost-share or matching requirement waivers and flexibilities specific to rural communities. The playbook and additional information about what the infrastructure package delivers for rural communities can be found at build.gov/rural, along with fact sheets from several federal agencies.
Live ARPA reporting portal demonstrations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is hosting two live demonstrations of the Project and Expenditure Report process, one on April 21 and another on April 25. Cities must submit this report as part of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds reporting processes, which was established by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The demonstration will include an example of a revenue loss submission and is geared toward local governments with smaller allocations, with an emphasis on those electing the standard allowance. This includes non-entitlement cities — typically those serving a population under 50,000.
For questions, please contact Cal Cities Federal Liaison Caroline Cirrincione.
COVID-19 reimbursement webinar
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will hold a webinar on its Public Assistance program on April 21 at 10:00 a.m. PST / 1:00 p.m. EST. The program provides reimbursements for a variety of COVID-19 response projects. FEMA is establishing several deadlines that will be key to helping applicants make funding decisions and will enable FEMA to reimburse applicants for the costs they have incurred in responding to the pandemic over the last two years.
For questions, please email Cal Cities Federal Liaison Caroline Cirrincione. To join the webinar, use the passcode 0422.
New resources from the Department of Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation is holding a series of informational webinars for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant. Funded by the federal infrastructure law, the program supports local initiatives that prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets, commonly referred to as ‘‘Vision Zero.’’ The May 2 webinar is specifically for cities, counties, and other local agencies. The webinar will include information about the grant program, eligibility, and requirements.
Additionally, the federal government is enhancing the coordination of its new and existing road safety programs into a comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy. A recent National League of Cities brief outlines the program’s toolbox for local leaders, details opportunities for cities to advance road safety, and highlights actions cities have taken to create safer streets.
Broadband technical assistance webinars
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is hosting several webinars in connection with the new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the federal infrastructure spending package. The series will cover the agency’s various broadband programs to help applicants prepare high-quality grant applications. The April 27 webinar will focus on digital equity and inclusion.
City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, or additional recovery tools can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.