American Rescue Plan Act

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a federal relief package providing $1.9 trillion in funding, program changes, and tax policies aimed at mitigating the continuing effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis. As a result of this historic legislation, Erie County is receiving $52,391,502 through a Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant awarded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The grant is being paid to the County over two years, with half arriving in 2021 and the other half arriving in 2022.

The County must allocate, or determine how grant dollars are to be used, by December 31, 2024, and spend all grant funding by December 31, 2026. Grant funds are being deployed over a five-year period to help Erie County in Building a Better Future for its residents.

Reporting and Compliance

As a requirement of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant program, Erie County must publish an annual Performance Report outlining how funds are being used. See the County’s published reports below.

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) 2021 Performance Report: July 31, 2021
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) 2022 Performance Report: July 31, 2022
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) 2023 Performance Report: July 31, 2023
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) 2024 Performance Report: July 31, 2024

How is this funding being spent?

Erie County Council approved a budget for the first half of the grant, which is $26 million, during their August 5, 2021 meeting. Using the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Council allocated grant funding for the following types of projects.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Funds are being used to respond to COVID-19 and the broader health impacts of COVID-19 and the public health emergency.

NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT

Funds are being used to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

SERVICES TO DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES

Funds are being used to provide services to communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

WATER, SEWER AND BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

Funds are being used to support water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES & GRANT ADMINISTRATION

As Erie County experienced a loss in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, funds are being used to support government services.