Board Of County Commissioners

American Rescue Plan Act

American Rescue Plan Act

Chelan County Awards $4.6 million in ARPA funds

Chelan County commissioners have allocated $4.6 million of federal COVID relief dollars to a variety of local agencies, nonprofits and small agricultural producers. Read more online.

 

 

Funding Allocation

The County received approximately $14.9 million dollars of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The proposed allocation breakdown is listed here:

  • County Revenue Loss: The County qualifies to reserve $10 million to replace revenue that was lost as a result of COVID-19 and to invest in programs and infrastructure to better serve Chelan County citizens.
  • Previously Allocated Funding: The County has already allocated $300,000 to urgent County projects and $560,000 to the Chelan-Douglas Health District for a time-sensitive capital project and operations.
  • Community Funding: The remaining $4 million is intended to be invested into the community. Up to $3 million will support non-profit partners providing critical services to our community and at least $1 million will be reserved to support small agricultural businesses, under 500 employees.

 

Chelan County Goals

Chelan County leadership has developed the following goals to help guide how the funds will be invested:

1. Strengthening County Services
Investing in County operations and assets affected by the pandemic to improve current services and future outcomes.

2. Creating Healthy Communities
Working with non-profit partners to expand behavioral health (including mental health and substance use treatment) and to invest in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts.

3. Caring for Families
Working with non-profit partners to assist our most impacted households and communities with housing, food and other basic necessities.

4. Supporting Small Agricultural Businesses
Supporting small agricultural businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.

 

To meet the goals established by County leadership, the County solicited project and funding requests related to each of the five priority areas.

GOAL GENERAL PURPOSE
Strengthening County Services The County will manage an internal process to identify department-led projects that will have a significant positive impact on County services provided to the community. Project may include efforts like investing in new technology systems, ensuring sufficient staffing to support core services or making capital improvements to increase safety.
Creating Healthy Communities

The County will solicit project proposals from local non-profits that address:

Expanding behavioral health care (including mental health and substance use treatment); or

Investing in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts.

Grant amounts will be based on estimated project costs.
Caring for Families

The County will solicit project proposals from local non-profits that address:

Assisting our most impacted households and communities with housing, food or other basic necessities.

Grant amounts will be based on estimated project costs.
Supporting Small Agricultural Businesses The County will solicit funding requests from local small agricultural businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Grant awards are up to $50,000.

 

Application Timeline

The 2022 timeline for the application process is:

  • Application period opened Aug. 1 and closed Sept. 30
  • Commissioners will review all applications in October and November
  • Awarded grants will be announced by Dec. 5

 

State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Purpose

ARPA funds provide local governments resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, more equitable economy as the country recovers. Counties may use these funds to:

  • Support public health expenditures by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff.
  • Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harm to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries and the public sector.
  • Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic.
  • Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors.
  • Invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.

You can read more about the funding guidelines here.

 

ARPA Funding Strategy Public Comment Period

In June, Chelan County sought input from community members on the above proposed goals, funding allocation and application process. Information from an online survey reports:

  • 93 surveys were submitted
  • 85% of survey takers self-identified as Chelan County residents
  • 13% of survey takers self-identified as business owners within Chelan County
  • In answering the question, how would you rate the proposed funding goals, 38% responded excellent or good and 54% responded average or okay.
  • In answering the question, how would you rate the proposed funding allocation, 21% responded excellent or good, 57% responded average or okay, and 22% responded terrible or poor.
  • In answering the question, how would you rate the proposed application process, 24% responded excellent or good, 62% responded average or okay, and 13% responded terrible or poor.

 

Posted: 05/31/2022 03:38 PM
Last Updated: 12/21/2022 01:05 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 26
    Apr 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - April 24th, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Entiat and North Wenatchee

    Posted by: Chelan County Assessor

    Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.

    Wenatchee Valley Fire Station No. 11
  • 23
    Apr 2024
    09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Special Election Day - Manson Parks & Recreation District voters only

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Election Day

  • 15
    Apr 2024
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Registration in person at our office

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Registration Deadline in person at our office.