NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
*************************
On Monday (April 24), Boulder County will host a public briefing to provide updates on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments in Boulder County communities. Members of the public are invited to attend this online event, which will take place via Zoom at 1:30 p.m. There is no opportunity for public comment during the event, but written comments may be emailed to [email protected].
As it has been one year since the Boulder County Commissioners received recommendations from the ARPA Working Groups on the use of federal funds for an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Boulder County staff also will be offering updates on the Phase 2 projects in the following categories:
- Economic Challenges,
- Housing Affordability, and
- Mental Health and Social Resilience.
"Boulder County residents are invited to attend the April 24 briefing to hear about the pandemic recovery progress we have made as a community," Commissioner Marta Loachamin said. "Residents' involvement has been essential in every step of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and this update presentation is the opportunity for the public to learn about financial efforts to address disparate impacts of the pandemic."
"The priority for ARPA funds at this phase is to support projects centered on social and economic stabilization for households around the county that faced the devastating effects of the pandemic,” added Commissioner Claire Levy. “The upcoming public update is intended to keep Boulder County communities informed on the uses of these federal funds and report on the progress of these investments."
“The Boulder County community voiced their concerns and most urgent needs amid the pandemic, and the county has listened,” said Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann. “We are excited to share the progress made by ARPA funds’ investments to advance racial equity and achieve equitable outcomes.”
Boulder County staff will provide updates and highlights on ARPA projects, emphasizing racial equity at the center of this social investment as well as community engagement and projects currently in progress.
ARPA Phase 2 Pandemic Recovery and Relief Projects include programs to invest funds in Boulder County communities for stronger and more equitable neighborhoods, planned and ongoing programs for families and children, projects to address the housing crisis, and accessible programs for mental and behavioral health services.
Meeting Details
This is an online presentation via Zoom or by phone.
When: Monday, April 24
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.
Where:
Virtual Attendee Link: https://boco.org/BOCC-ARPA-Briefing REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Call-in information: 1-833-568-8864, Webinar ID: 160 306 9665
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Background
On May 2022, the Boulder County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing as part of the ARPA community engagement process. In this meeting, the ARPA Working Groups, comprised of community members, county staff, nonprofit organizations, local leadership, and other stakeholders, presented recommendations about the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for an equitable recovery. The ARPA Working Groups based their proposals on the responses to a county-wide survey in which Boulder County residents identified their needs during the pandemic.
Boulder County received $63.3 million in federal ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to help respond to community needs and address the negative economic and disparate impacts of COVID-19. For more information and updates visit the American Rescue Plan Act webpage at boco.org/arpa.
*************************
