County, cities receive ARPA funds

As COVID-19 continues to shrink from collective society, communities all across the country are trying to get to the coveted place of “back to normal” as quickly as they can.

One of the tools that has been given in order to accomplish this was the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program (CSLFRF) authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

ARPA was signed into law just over a year ago in March of 2021, and provided $350 billion in additional funding for state and local governments to combat the various financial consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

From this came the CSLFRF, which provides governments across the country with the resources needed to support families and businesses struggling with the economic impacts of the pandemic. While also bolstering and maintaining public services and public health departments.

The funds must be used in way that fit the following criteria:

Replace lost public sector revenue; Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic; Provide premium pay for essential workers; Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.

The SLFRF funds have been allocated to the State of Idaho, the individual counties and incorporated cities across Idaho and are administered on the local level on behalf of the communities they represent. This local control is for supplying oversight and responsible use for the best outcome in our communities.

(entity - amount received):

Kellogg - $459,445

Mullan - $148,846

Pinehurst - $349,746

Osburn - $334,690

Smelterville - $133,575

Wallace - $168,205

Wardner - $37,857

Shoshone County - $2,502,177

While all of these entities must figure out how to utilize these funds while still meeting the specific criteria, Shoshone County hired Colleen Rosson as their new grant administrator in November of 2021, and in her new role she will coordinate the use of the County’s CSLFRF.

“We have been given the opportunity to use this one-time pot of monies in a way that will positively affect our communities. We live and work in Shoshone County and have the best understanding of what our community needs truly are,” said Rosson. “My ability to focus on outreach and community input gives us the means to maximize the impact of these funds with thoughtful and intentional support of local projects.”

The role of the grant administrator is to ensure the funds are used in compliance with the regulatory and statutory requirements provided by the United States Department of the Treasury, track funds and review project funding requests submitted to Shoshone County.

The grant administrator will serve as the contact to send project funding requests to the county. Funding requests that follow Treasury guidelines will be evaluated for highest long term impact that align with the local community’s needs.

Shoshone County was allocated its $2.5 million in two tranches and is asking that the community to consider and submit projects to the new Grants office for consideration.

All projects will be reviewed for scope, impact, timelines, and compliance with Treasury guidance.

There is a two-step review process for project requests. For more information or to request a project proposal form, email Colleen Rosson at crosson@co.shoshone.id.us.