The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a $1.9 Trillion Economic Stimulus Package that was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021.  The current estimate for Chippewa County to receive is $12.5 million.

On May 19, 2021, Chippewa County received the first transaction of $6,279,529.50.  Chippewa County will receive the second half of the funds in May 2022.  Per the U.S. Treasury, all funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026.  However, the goal for Chippewa County is to have all projects completed by September 30, 2024 in order to be considered, unless it is contracted until December 31, 2026.  This will allow us enough time to ensure that all funds are spent and proper documentation and invoicing is received per guidelines.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has four allowable areas of usage:

• “(A) to respond to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
  
  
• “(B) to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID–19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers of the metropolitan city, non-entitlement unit of local government, or county that are performing such essential work, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work;
  
  
• “(C) for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such metropolitan city, non-entitlement unit of local government, or county due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the metropolitan city, non-entitlement unit of local government, or county prior to the emergency; or
  
  
• “(D) to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

Chippewa County Guidelines & Procedure for Allocating ARPA Funds

Approved by the Chippewa County Board on July 20, 2021 via Resolution 19-21.

The final 2021-2026 ARPA Plan was amended by the County Board on October 11, 2022 and February 14, 2023.

On February 11, 2025 the County Administrator gave a final presentation to the County Board with a review of all projects funded with ARPA.