American Rescue Plan Act - Share Your Ideas

How would you spend $511 million in ARPA to make Cleveland healthier and stronger?

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched our ReStart CLE efforts based on three overriding principles:

1. To minimize the suffering and burden of people and businesses in our community who have been impacted by COVID;
2. To better position all people and businesses in our community to take advantage of the recovery; and
3. To make sure all people are better off as a result of the recovery efforts we undertake so that we can become a more equitable community.

The recently passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides a unique opportunity to build on these priorities and invest in our people, neighborhoods, and businesses. As a part of this nationwide effort, Cleveland will receive $511 million to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.

This $511 million must be spent by December 31, 2024 and can be used, broadly, for certain types of programs or services, including:

• Supporting Public Health Response – This includes things like funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff.
• Replacing Public Sector Revenue Loss – Due to COVID-19, the City of Cleveland lost tax revenue which supports vital City services. These funds can be used to offset those losses and support direct services to people.
• Address Negative Economic Impacts – During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people and businesses were hurt economically. These funds can help workers, families, small businesses, non-profits, and industries impacted by COVID-19.
• Water, Sewer, or Broadband Infrastructure – This includes things like investing to improve access to clean drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to provide unserved or underserved locations with new or expanded broadband access.

We want to hear your ideas for how we can use this money to build a stronger and more equitable community. By answering six simple questions, you can help shape how $511 million is invested in our city.