Monroe County will review feedback for $144 million American Rescue Plan spending

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe County is about to start reviewing public feedback for spending $144 million in American Rescue Plan money.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello Wednesday announced the deadline has expired for the county to receive Request for Proposals (RFPs) for federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding opportunities. ARPA funding will affect positive change in the community in high-priority areas: workforce development, economic recovery, public health, public safety, infrastructure and sustainability.

From here, the planning department will review submissions, determine funding awards and create a reporting system.

“The ARPA priority areas are perfectly in line with the four focus areas my administration is targeting to Bring Monroe Back: public safety, public health, economic/workforce development and infrastructure. For more than a year, Monroe County sought public feedback from residents and community organizations to on build on what is working now and to Bring Monroe Back for a safer, equitable and more prosperous future,” said County Executive Bello. “We’re now one step closer to investing an unprecedented $144 million federal investment in Monroe County that will make a significant impact for who live and work in Monroe County. My thanks to Senator’s Schumer and Gillibrand and to Congressman Joe Morelle for securing these important ARPA funds for Monroe County.”

What happens next?

1) The Monroe County Department of Planning, in conjunction with an internal review team and voting committee, will review submissions, evaluate applications and determine funding awards.

2) Monroe County will enter into contracts with selected vendors, pending approval from the Legislature. Contracts will run for a period of one year, with the option to renew for three additional yearlong terms. Contracts will commence on or about Jan. 1, 2023.

3) Monroe County will create a centralized reporting system, and work with each organization to establish quarterly reporting requirements, in compliance with ARPA guidelines.

To view the latest ARPA Annual Reports and find continual updates, click here.