The Chester County commissioners recently announced a second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant recipients. More than $6 million in grants were awarded for 22 projects. The new grants add to the $40 million in funds that were awarded to 73 applicants during the first round of grants, announced in September 2022.

The ARPA grants are intended to provide an equitable infusion of resources to meet local pandemic recovery needs and help accelerate the ongoing rebuilding of Chester County's economy. Specifically in this round of funding, grants supported many first responder organizations, municipal infrastructure projects, subsidized early childhood education and care, and behavioral health assistance.

Chester County received more than 300 ARPA applications for funding requests from a wide array of municipalities, public authorities, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations that are located within, or provide substantial service to, the county. Application funding requests amounted to three times the total ARPA funds allocated to Chester County.

The breakdown in funding for the recommended projects, following both rounds of awarded grants, includes $12.9 million in behavioral health, $9 million in public health, $7 million in housing, $6.9 million in public safety, $3.3 million in community facilities and programs, $2.7 million in infrastructure, $1.8 million in workforce development, $1.5 million in food security, and $1.1 million in child care.

All ARPA funding applications recommended by independent review teams have also been reviewed by Susquehanna Accounting and Consulting Services (SACS) to ensure compliance with federal rules. A list of the ARPA fund awards can be found at http://www.chesco.org/arpa.