Athens-Clarke County commissioners are expected to get a briefing tonight on how much federal pandemic relief money remains in the county’s coffers.
The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, signed into law by President Biden in March 2021. Under the law, ACC received some $57.5 million to spend in areas like workforce development, affordable housing, and youth programs.
Much of that money has already been spent, or at least allocated to specific focus areas. For example, county lawmakers directed the biggest chunk of the money – some $25 million to address homelessness and affordable housing. Another $7.5 million was earmarked for youth development and violence prevention.
But there is still some money left, and the clock is ticking. All of the APRA money has to be assigned by the end of the year, and the money must be spent by the end of 2026, or the county will have to give what’s left back to the federal government.
Some of those focus areas still have healthy sums remaining to be spent. For example, the youth and violence prevention area has over $3 million remaining, while workforce development has close to $2 million left.
The ARPA briefing comes as part of Tuesday night’s commission work session and agenda-setting meeting.
