BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Governor Brad Little and State Comptroller Brandon Woolf on Monday announced that towns in Idaho with populations of less than 50,000 will begin receiving their share of $ 54 million from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature unanimously accepted federal funds, which will be used by the local Idaho government to respond to COVID-19 or invest in water, sewer or infrastructure in broadband.
“From the start, I stressed the need to direct the billions of dollars allocated to Idaho by the American Rescue Plan Act on long-term investments that will benefit our children and grandchildren. The funds provided to cities starting today are in addition to the significant investments we have already made in infrastructure to support the next generation of Idahoans, ”Governor Little said. “I urge cities to use these dollars for investments that will reduce the property tax burden that Idahoans will face in the future.”
The $ 54 million distribution is just the first installment of funds to be distributed to cities in Idaho. Another $ 54 million will be distributed to cities next year.
At the request of the Idaho Legislature and Governor Little, the Office of the State Comptroller provided an easy-to-use portal for all Lawless Local Government (NEU) units to receive local tax relief funds. . A NEU is a city in the state of Idaho with a population of less than 50,000 that does not otherwise receive direct funding from the US Treasury.
“The state of Idaho was better prepared to receive, distribute and report on CARES law funding through the robust Transparent Idaho portal,” State Comptroller Woolf said. “I am proud to extend the functionality of Transparent Idaho to channel ARPA funding to cities in our great state. “
Unlike the coronavirus relief funding used in the CARES Act grants, the state of Idaho is not the primary recipient of this funding and will not review eligibility expenses, but instead will act as a as an intermediary entity for distribution purposes only. The State Comptroller’s office will work with the NEUs to ensure prompt distribution.
If an entity wishes to receive funding and has not already registered to receive funding from the CARES Act, it will need to register to receive ARPA funds. To complete the registration of an entity, visit the ARPA portal at Transparent.Idaho.Gov.
Once an entity has registered to receive funding, it will need to complete a funding application. If an entity has problems registering or applying for funding, they are encouraged to call the Idaho State Comptroller’s Office at 208-334-3100 for assistance over the phone.
