Good afternoon CT Economic Developers,

Courtney Hendricson of AdvancedCT, Gene Goddard of the MetroHartford Alliance and I are serving on a Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Advisory Service Committee to provide communities with information on municipal use of American Rescue Plan Act funding. Courtney, Gene and I have formed a subcommittee to look specifically at the use of ARPA funds for economic development purposes. We would like to provide communities, through CCM, a compiled list of possible economic development uses of ARPA funds (such as those below) and guidelines for community decision-making on this topic. As the needs of rural and urban areas can be quite different, we are looking for proposed uses that can assist small, as well as larger jurisdictions. We know that municipal CEOs are eager to see this information and so we would greatly appreciate it if you could respond as soon as possible with: 1) information on ways your community is contemplating use of ARPA funds for economic development; 2) any questions or issues that have arisen in your discussions about using ARPA funds for economic development; and 3) links to any information resources that you have come across that you have found helpful. We will be sure to provide the toolkit developed to those in this listserv.

Thanks in advance!

Patrick

Some suggested uses have included:

Business Support & Activation:
Vacant Space Activation (storefronts, office spaces)
Small Business grants
Small Business Revolving Loans
Facade/Storefront grants
Commercial Corridor Ambassadors
Marketing & Promotion
Assistance to travel, tourism and hospitality industries

Arts & Culture, Placemaking:
Arts & Culture Programming & Activation
Public Art Program Employing Local Artists

Housing:
Improve the quality of existing housing or expand quality housing opportunities

Water, Sewer and Broadband are eligible expenses - are any communities utilizing this for economic development?
Any thoughts on green infrastructure and climate resiliency?

Have you had conversations at a regional level to pursue economic development initiatives?

Are any communities looking to take on reuse specific vacant or underutilized buildings?

Any programs related to industrial/manufacturing that can be deemed as a response to Covid?

Assistance to agricultural entities as a response to Covid?

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