FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

May 24, 2023 

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5

 

New Reports Show American Rescue Plan’s Ongoing Impact on Economic Opportunity Nationwide 

Three reports highlight more than 40 examples of NewDEAL Leader investments in childcare access, housing affordability, and economic opportunity

Washington D.C. – Today, the NewDEAL issued three reports underscoring the impact of investments from the American Rescue Plan Act’s state and local recovery funds on some of the country’s most pressing issues. Featuring policymakers representing 29 states and more than 40 communities, the documents detail the collective effort by members of the organization’s network of the most forward-thinking, innovative state and local leaders in the country to address housing, child care, and economic growth. (See links to the full reports and highlights below.)  

The reports highlight the transformative power of ARPA funding to stabilize and revitalize communities across the nation post-Covid, and a unique opportunity to deal with challenges that have long seemed intractable. President Biden’s first major legislative accomplishment, ARPA provided $350 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, giving state and local policy makers both flexibility and longevity to make long-term investments. Thanks to the efforts of NewDEAL Leaders, over 10,000 housing units are in various stages of completion, thousands of families have gained access to affordable childcare, over 2,000 workers have been supported with wage increases and bonuses, and many more can now plan for a brighter future.

Read the ARPA Housing Report here.

Read the ARPA Childcare Report here.

Read the ARPA Economic Report here.

“Now more than two years since President Biden signed ARPA into law, NewDEAL leaders have led the way in making meaningful investments to tackle the most pressing issue facing their communities,” said NewDEAL Leader CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “They have demonstrated the power of supporting state and local leaders, and it’s clear that investing in states and localities is an important part of responding to an economic crisis.  With flexibility to use the funds over multiple years, we are just now beginning to see the meaningful and long-term impact that state and local leaders will have in advancing solutions on seemingly intractable issues facing Americans.”

Among the innovative solutions showcased in the report are direct efforts to help vulnerable youth, crisis response teams, investments in childcare facilities, professional development for early childhood educators, small business grants, job training programs, and infrastructure improvements. Notable highlights include:

Housing –

• Denver, CO: State Senator Chris Hansen sponsored a bill that invests $50 million in ARPA funding into developing and operating a navigation campus assisting residents experiencing homelessness in the Denver-metropolitan region.
• Boise, ID: Mayor Lauren McLean used $6.5 million in ARPA funding to support over 3,200 households earning 80% of the average income or less.
• Kansas City, MO: Mayor Quinton Lewis has overseen the use of $15 million in ARPA funding, supporting over 450 affordable homes across 14 projects.
• Austin, TX: Former Mayor Steve Adler used $107 million in ARPA funding, creating housing for 3,000 individuals and stabilizing housing for 2,300 more households.

Childcare –

• Phoenix, AZ: Mayor Kate Gallego used $4 million in ARPA funds to create an on-site childcare center at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and provided employee vouchers to cover childcare costs.
• Boston, MA: Mayor Michelle Wu used $7 million in ARPA funds to enhance the post-pandemic early childhood sector through internships, scholarships, 800 educator certificates/degrees, and wraparound support services.
• Columbus, OH: Council President Shannon Hardin used $3.5 million in ARPA funding to award 63 affordability scholarships to low-income families and provided 169 one-time $1,000 signing bonuses for new child care workers.
• Richmond, VA: Mayor Levar Stoney used $78 million in ARPA funding for high-quality child care programs, opened a new childcare facility, and allocated funds for new centers, increasing access for over 200 families.

Economic Development –

• La Mesa, CA: Councilmember Colin Parent is using $800,000 in ARPA funds to fund small business recovery, startups, and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP), offering grants for training and exterior property improvements.
• Stamford, CT: Mayor Caroline Simmons used $1.5 million in ARPA funds to launch a small business grant program, helping around 200 small businesses with grants of up to $7,500 for critical expenses.
• Oakland County, MI: County Executive Dave Coulter used $9.6 million in ARPA funds to invest in the Oakland80 program, aiming to help 80% of county residents obtain a post-high school degree or credential by 2030.
• Salt Lake City, UT: Mayor Erin Mendenhall is using $10 million in ARP funds to create neighborhood centers providing job training and assistance services.

These features are the latest in NewDEAL’s ongoing effort to uplift and share success stories and share best practices from the organization’s members work to deploy ARPA funds. Visit the NewDEAL’s ARPA in Action site to read more and learn about the latest policy efforts from NewDEAL Leaders.

About the NewDEAL

The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders. NewDEAL alumni have included Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Jason Kander, Alex Padilla, Ben McAdams, and more.

 

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