September 14, 2022 |American Rescue Plan Act, City of Lynn, City Services, From the Mayor, News, Resources

City of Lynn is Requesting Proposals for Phase II ARPA Funded Projects

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The City Administration is seeking proposals from the community for projects which are eligible to receive funding courtesy of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). There is still roughly $20 million remaining from the $75 million the City received to allocate to projects, people, businesses, and organizations with a focus on those most impacted by COVID-19.

Mayor Nicholson’s Administration and the City Council are seeking proposals from local community-based organizations, non-profits, and businesses that are eligible to receive ARPA funding and are aligned with the City of Lynn’s spending and strategic priorities. Community organizations can request funding through an application form on LynnARPA.com. The City’s schedule for vetting Phase II applications includes reopening applications this week; closing applications in mid-October; publicizing projects in early November; and going before the City Council for a vote on November 22, 2022. The proposed projects must be obligated/contracted by December 31, 2024 and all project funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. The City’s Application Guidelines for ARPA Project Funding webpage provides more information about eligibility and the evaluation/selection process.

Please be aware that the collection of project submittals will close at midnight on October 17, 2022. The City is working to consolidate project applications and leverage other state and federal resources to maximize Lynn’s ARPA funding, however, this will be the final opportunity to apply for this one-time revenue resource. It is important to note that funds may not be placed in reserves, or used to pay settlements or other judgments, nor may funds be used to pay debts or fees related to issuing debt.

Organizations that sent in a project proposal for ARPA investment during the Phase I Submittal Period last spring are encouraged to fill out a shorter application form for returning applicants, as the City already has their standard documentation and agency information on file.

Several community meetings are in the process of being scheduled throughout September and October for applicants that would like assistance submitting their project ideas. Meeting details will be made available when the dates and times are finalized. Additional translation services will be made available upon request. The public is encouraged to visit LynnARPA.com to sign up to receive email updates.

The public outreach process began in early February, with the distribution of a community survey to help the City of Lynn develop a transparent, strategic, and equitable plan for federal ARPA funding. The survey was designed for the purpose of understanding the impact of the pandemic on city residents and to gather a sense of community stakeholders’ priorities for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. The survey was available online from February 8, 2022 through March 31, 2022 and reached roughly 1,653 respondents. Feedback from the City’s community outreach, including feedback on the first round of funded projects, highlighted particular needs to address parks and green space, the cost of housing, improvements to roadways and sidewalks, food security and workforce development.

We should take full advantage of these funds to address the ongoing toll of the pandemic and build a healthier, more resilient community. We’re grateful for the opportunity that we have to collaborate with the City Council and come up with real solutions to move our city forward. I encourage residents and interested parties to complete the online application process.

Mayor Jared Nicholson

Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act presents a real opportunity for cities like Lynn to make game-changing investments in infrastructure, human capital, public safety and quality of life. That’s why it is so important to be strategic with ARPA funding decisions – and most importantly, to give the public a voice in how this money is spent.

Councilor-At-Large, Brian Field

The City of Lynn is committed to creating a fully transparent and equitable process for all aspects of investing ARPA funding into our community. LynnARPA.com is your source for the most up-to-date information on how funds are being used, how to apply for funding, and opportunities to ask questions and share feedback.

Questions regarding project submittals should be directed to: info@LynnARPA.com.

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.