An explainer on ARPA and what it’s doing for Je erson County

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e American Rescue Plan Act currently funds 51 projects in Je erson County, with about $87,430,000 allocated. e Drew Hill Culvert repair was one of those projects.

ARPA is a federal program that has funded communities across the county. Je co’s “ARPA Guy” John N. Bryan, explains exactly what ARPA is and why the community should stay informed about it.

To learn about the program, it helps to know its origins. According to Bryan, ARPA grew from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security) Act.

“ at was the rst round and wave of money if you will, and that was really more focused on COVID. It was like COVID testing, hand sanitizers and having the testing kits and the public health resources to help take care of in the crisis,” Bryan explained.

He said that the loans and grants to businesses under the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) were also a part of the CARES Act. “ e businesses were having a hard time surviving (the pandemic),” Bryan said. “It was one of those things where they sort of get this interestfree grant or alone, if you will, to try to help keep their employees on board, keep their shops open. at was CARES.”

He said that the CARES Act segued into something new around 2020, a program to help communities move forward from the pandemic’s fallout. “We started transitioning away from the pandemic response if you will. And that’s