American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was passed by the federal government to support communities across the country in responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal funds from ARPA are intended to address the negative health and economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Lexington is receiving $9,903,381 million in ARPA funding.

Use of Funds

ARPA funding is available for use until the end of 2024. The federal government has outlined the primary objective for the use of these funds, which are more flexible than the CARES Act funding or FEMA funding:

  • Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
  • Replace lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs
  • Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses
  • Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic

View the US Treasury Department’s ARPA Reference Guide (PDF).

Approved Spending

As of June 30, 2023, the Select Board has approved for use $9,013,868 of Lexington’s $9.9 million in ARPA funds. $1,100,000 of the Town's ARPA funds are set aside for Participatory Budgeting and food insecurity. The current balance of the Town's ARPA funds is $889,513.Pie chart: Pub Health & Safety 29%, Econ Stimulus 45%, Pandemic 7%, Housing 17%, Food Insecurity 2%

The approved funds are in the following areas:

Housing

  • $400,000 for LexHAB request to buy houses
  • $315,000 to LexHAB, funding for a down payment to buy an affordable housing unit(s)
  • $20,000 to develop a proposal for a Municipal Housing Trust and Development Corporation
  • $25,000 to provide funding for a SPRD Consultant to bring this project to conclusion
  • $115,000 for Vine Street Affordable Housing Design

Pandemic-Related

  • $26,609 to add additional staffing to the Town’s Human Resources Department to aid with the turnover of staff and other staff-related issues due to the pandemic.
  • $640,100 for Remote/Hybrid Meeting solutions and upgrades
  • $20,000 for Town Meeting tablets
  • $235,000 for outdoor shelters for the Recreation Department to provide programs outdoors
  • $216,000 for curbside composting
  • $1,168 for am AV display in the front hall for publicizing meetings
  • $50,000 for an internal equity audit

Food Insecurity

  • $200,000 to address food insecurity

Public Safety & Health

  • $40,000 for Fire Dept and Emergency Management respirator protection
  • $4,000 for increasing inclusion through technology (Recreation)
  • $57,202 for bus shelter at Depot Square (Emery Park)
  • $36,000 for providing bottle filling stations along the bikeway
  • $43,600 for two electronic sign boards used during Town emergencies and notifications.
  • $100,991 for an overage on a fire pumper truck due to cost escalations related to the pandemic
  • $80,188 for additional overtime in the Fire Department due to staff being out due to COVID-related issues
  • $436,862 for an ambulance
  • $93,876 for an ATV Ambulance used for off-road rescues and special events
  • $350,000 for Mental Health Services/Clinician
  • $15,000 for mental health services through the William James Interface
  • $100,000 for general support for the Lexington Department of Public Health
  • $175,000 for community-wide testing and vaccination events
  • $22,863 for Rapid Test Kits
  • $22,200 for AED Devices for the Police Department
  • $19,936 for basketball hoops that provide greater accessibility
  • $44,000 for additional bottle fillers at 3 locations
  • $25,000 for N95 masks (This was not used, due to the Town receiving sufficient number of masks from the State/Federal Governments.)
  • $329,580 for lead and copper service line inventory, planning, and replacement
  • $76,000 for hands-free fixtures in Community Center and Cary Library
  • $6,800 for water fountain installation at Lincoln Park
  • $2,895 for electronic letter opener to improve administration of voting by mail

Economic Stimulus & Resiliency

  • $50,000 for LCA, Symphony, Munroe Center, and other cultural organizations
  • $50,000 for Lexington Retailer’s Association for events
  • $24,000 for picnic tables in the Center
  • $75,000 for parklet in the Center
  • $1,400,000 for small business assistance
  • $110,000 for a pop-up business incubator
  • $50,000 for the Visitor Center’s website rebuild
  • $100,000 for store-back/store front improvement plan
  • $50,000 for non-profit business assistance
  • $400,000 for E. Lexington bike path landscape improvements
  • $7,200 for E. Lexington bike racks
  • $500,000 for 250th event planning and implementation
  • $700,000 for additional small business assistance
  • $25,000 for Center charette
  • $520,000 for Participatory Budgeting

Moving Forward

Moving forward, the Town Manager will be working with the Select Board to determine how the rest of the Town’s ARPA funds will be spent.  

The Town has 3 calendar years to expend the funds, and the programs already approved will be reviewed in the coming years to determine how to continue them and at what funding level.