Vancouver plans how to allocate $32.6 million in COVID-19 relief

Elected leaders in Vancouver have the alternative of an issue.

Town acquired $ 32.6 million in COVID-19 aid below the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds have penalties, however they’re lengthy: In line with US Treasury Division pointers, the multimillion-dollar allotment could be spent in a wide range of methods.

“It is written that flexibility is in-built,” stated Vancouver Metropolis Supervisor Eric Holmes.

Now the town is within the enviable place of deciding easy methods to get essentially the most out of the windfall, a course of that can start in a metropolis council workshop on Monday and is anticipated to proceed for the remainder of the yr.

Treasury Division pointers point out that the cash can be utilized for public well being spending, raises for key staff, grants for households or companies that misplaced cash through the pandemic, or to replenish lacking public sector revenues. The federal division additionally acknowledged that the funds can be utilized for infrastructure tasks similar to water, sewage and broadband techniques.

The overarching intent is to advertise resilience, Holmes stated.

“(So) when the following shock comes, the church buildings will probably be higher ready,” stated Holmes.

There’s a fastened rule: ARPA funding should be accredited by December 31, 2024 on the newest and issued inside two years thereafter.

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