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City of Salem Directs ARPA Funds to Business and Workforce Recovery

Funds targeted to support economic recovery and workers
Posted on: June 9, 2022 - 1:43pm
arpa

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced that as part of its first round of American Rescue Plan Act funding allocations, close to $1 million in ARPA funds have been directed toward economic recovery and small business and worker support initiatives, and over $750,000 in other federal relief funds have been likewise committed to this purpose.

Program

ARPA Funds

Worker Retention program

$458,515

Outdoor Dining sites capital costs

$270,000

Festivals & Special Events Grant program

$150,000

Culinary and Hospitality Workforce Development program

$63,100

Outdoor Dining Grant program

$35,000

Total

$976,615

“I’m grateful for the work of the Economic Recovery Task Force and all the community stakeholders who were part of that effort and to Congressman Moulton, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey, for their support for the federal funds that made these investments possible,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Salem has and will continue to target relief funds to support a full and strong economic recovery. The allocations announced today build on the $750,000 in federal CARES and CDBG funds that the City also spent on direct, targeted business and worker supports during the pandemic, bringing our total investment in business and worker assistance to more than $1.7 million. Throughout the pandemic Salem had no net loss of businesses and today our local unemployment rate is below the pre-pandemic level. This kind of success is only possible through thoughtful planning, intentional and strategic actions, and close, constructive partnerships with our businesses, workers, and those who support them.”
 

About ARPA in Salem

American Rescue Plan Act funding allocations to cities and towns offer much needed funds to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative economic affects that came with it. Salem has taken a thoughtful approach to utilizing this funding and have worked intentionally with stakeholders to identify both short- and long-term approaches that will best aid our response and recovery efforts. Salem is ready to respond strategically to deviations in the pandemic’s course, to ensure an equitable recovery, and to make transformative, positive change in the many areas of concern that impact the lives and livelihoods of Salem residents. Previously the City announced a major allocation of ARPA funds toward critical City capital needs (www.salemma.gov/mayors-office/news/city-salem-directs-arpa-funds-capital-needs). Additional announcements about other major focus areas for the first phase of the City’s ARPA expenditures will continue to be made over the coming weeks. Find out more about ARPA in Salem at www.salemma.gov/recovery.