Snapshot: Four County-level American Rescue Plan Success Stories

Signed into law nearly two years ago, the American Rescue Plan helped stave off a second COVID recession, and has been a lifeline for states and cities as they recover and rebuild from the pandemic.

While much attention has been given to states and cities, billions of dollars flowed through county-level governments. As the National Association of Counties gather for their annual Legislative Conference in D.C., we are seeing unprecedented and long-overdue opportunities for counties and Washington to work together to address challenges in ways that were not previously possible. Here are four examples of how counties are using the American Rescue Plan to improve the lives of residents:

• New Castle County, Delaware. County Executive Matt Meyer announced in late 2021 that $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act was allocated towards affordable housing opportunities. The funding focuses on both homeownership and affordable rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. Meyer declared the increase in funding for housing opportunities would “do all sorts of things to make life easier for renters, for people right on the cusp of homeownership, and potentially stuff for repairs to homes that would, if not for these resources, send people into homelessness.”
• Oakland County, Michigan. County Executive Dave Coulter is investing nearly $3 million from the American Rescue Plan in Oakland80, an ambitious plan to help 80 percent of county residents obtain a post-high school degree or credential by 2030, up from 61 percent in 2022. Launched in May 2022, the program hired six Career and Education Navigators to work in communities throughout Oakland County to support people in finding fulfilling careers. These navigators help provide assistance to get into college or a training program, as well as connections to other wraparound services to navigate other obstacles. They also serve to connect students and adult learners with employers and job opportunities, as well as colleges. Additionally, the county has approved $1.2 million to support over 300 families with childcare scholarships for residents who are juggling work with education or training and struggling to afford licensed child care; and $1.5 million to help residents who are facing barriers to getting a college degree or training certificate.
• Santa Cruz County, California. County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty spearheaded the approval of $500,000 in ARP funds to bring high-speed internet to thousands of residents. By the middle of 2022, Cruzio, the local ISP provider, was able to finish installation at seven sites that serve disadvantaged families. An additional five sites were already underway or scheduled, with eight more to come. Over 100 families have already enrolled in the Equal Access Santa Cruz program, which has the goal of ultimately serving nearly 4,000 customers.
• Franklin County, Ohio. Commissioner John O’Grady helped approve $11 million in ARP funds to support job training assistance programs, including over $2 million for the Building Futures PreApprenticeship Program. This program provides a pathway for low-income residents to gain employment in the skilled construction trades and provides a stipend as well as supportive services to help residents through the 12 week course.

Leaders across the nation are partnering with the federal government on these issues and so much more. From child care to economic recovery, the American Rescue Plan is working.

If you are interested in more information about these types of successes, check out the NewDEAL Leaders website, where we have 50 stories like the ones above.