Mayor Craig A. Moe is pleased to announce that beginning Monday, November 1, 2021, the open-enrollment application period for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Program will begin.

The application period will remain open until November 30, 2021.

The City of Laurel ARPA Grant Program provides financial support for specific projects and programs to for-profit or non-profit organizational entities that were impacted by COVID-19. The U.S. Treasury has defined the following funding objectives:

• Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease the spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control;
• Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs;
• Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and
• Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic.

***Please note individual/family applications will NOT be considered. Only ONE application per for-profit or non-profit organizational entity may be submitted.

Businesses that fall under the following criteria need not submit a preliminary application. Instead, an application will open on January 3, 2022.

Please visit www.cityoflaurel.org/arpa  for updates regarding this application.

1. Small businesses starting up or relocating to a commercial, office, or industrial space within the City of Laurel.
2. Small businesses located within the City of Laurel that have been in business for at least five (5) years looking to upgrade or renovate business interior.
3. Commercial, office, or industrial property owners within the City of Laurel looking to renovate building exterior or façade.

All other applicants who fall under the criteria set by the Interim Final Rule may apply by clicking the link located on the bottom of the ARPA homepage at www.cityoflaurel.org/arpa

Some examples of projects/programs which may fall under these criteria are as follows:

• Job training programs to accelerate rehiring of unemployed workers
• Non-profits or organizations that provide food assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, etc. to prevent eviction or homelessness
• Aid to impacted industries
• New, expanding, or enhanced early learning services
• New or expansion of existing high-quality childcare to provide safe and supportive care for children
• Water, sewer and broadband improvements or expansion
• Public health initiatives such as vaccination programs, purchasing of personal protective equipment, improvement of design to mitigate disease spread, etc.

This list is not inclusive and the decision to accept or deny any application shall be determined by the City of Laurel in its sole judgement, based upon applicable criteria, and is not appealable.

For-profit and non-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for funding.

If chosen to proceed, a final application will be made available after the preliminary application closing date.

The City of Laurel will contact the applicant via email address provided in the preliminary application with any updates related to the proposed project/program.

For questions, please contact [email protected].