FAQs
How much funding did Providence receive through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)?
Providence received $166 million dollars from the U.S. Treasury to make investments in our City’s future. Rescue Plan funds are being used to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts.
When do ARPA funds need to be spent?
ARPA funds need to be spent by December 31, 2026.
Are there certain qualifications that must be met for this funding?
Yes, ARPA funds can only be spent on qualifying expenses. Click here to see the federal Treasury rules and regulations regarding the funds.
How did the City engage the public in the American Rescue Plan?
The City of Providence:
- Empaneled a COVID-19 Recovery & Resiliency Task Force of community members
- Hosted public Task Force meetings with opportunities for public comment
- Held five Community Conversations and two Business Roundtables (recordings of these events can be found below)
- Created a public feedback survey in eight languages that was shared widely, including through a door-knocking effort in hard-hit ZIP codes
- Heard over 10 City department presentations at public Task Force meetings, and created a portal on the website for businesses and organizations to submit more detailed proposals.
Recordings of Past Meetings:
- Providence Rescue Plan Community Conversation hosted by ARISE and South Providence Neighborhood Association
WHEN: Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 5:30-7:00 PM
WATCH: Video Recording - Providence COVID-19 Recovery Anchor Business Roundtable Discussion
WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 5:00-6:30 PM
WATCH: Video Recording - Providence Rescue Plan Community Conversation hosted by Facilitate Change
WHEN: Friday, September 10, 2021, 5:30-7:00 PM
WHERE: Video Recording - Providence COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Roundtable Discussion
WHEN: Tuesday, September 7, 2021, 5:00-6:30 PM
WATCH: Video Recording - Providence Rescue Plan Community Conversation hosted by the Latino Policy Institute
WHEN: Thursday, August 26, 2021, 5:30-7:00 PM
WATCH: Video Recording - Providence Rescue Plan Community Conversation hosted by the NAACP Providence Branch
WHEN: Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 5:30-7:00 PM
WATCH: Video Recording
What was the charge of the City’s COVID-19 Recovery & Resiliency Task Force?
The purpose of the Task Force was to provide guidance and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council as recovery planning efforts began in the wake of COVID-19. For more information, please see the Task Force’s Guiding Principles Document.
The Task Force shared recommendations with the City that were formulated into the Recommendations for Use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Report. The recommendations were used to guide the City in developing programs and a budget for the American Rescue Plan funds.
How did the City use the Task Force’s recommendations?
The recommendations were shared with the Mayor and the City Council and released publicly as the Recommendations for Use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Report. These recommendations guided the Administration in building upon the first allocation of American Rescue Plan funding that was approved as part of the City’s FY2022 budget to submit a second proposal for the remainder of the City’s ARPA dollars.
How can I apply for Rescue Plan funds for myself or my organization/business?
All current ARPA programs and request for proposals (RFPs) are available here. You can also follow the City’s social media pages on Facebook and X to receive the latest news. If you are a vendor who would like to bid on an RFP, register with the City here.