Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and State Comptroller Brandon Woolf announced today that cities in Idaho with populations under 50,000 will begin receiving their $54 million share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature unanimously accepted the federal funds, which will be used by local government in Idaho to respond to COVID-19 or invest in water, sewer or infrastructure in broadband.
“Early on, I emphasized the need to direct the billions of dollars allocated to Idaho through the American Rescue Plan Act toward long-term investments that will benefit our children and grandchildren. The funds flowing 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 leverage 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 tranche 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 has provided an easy-to-use portal for all local government units (NEUs) not eligible to receive local fiscal stimulus 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 Act funding through the robust Transparent Idaho portal,” State Comptroller Woolf said. “I’m proud to expand the functionality of Transparent Idaho to channel ARPA funding to cities across our great state.”
Unlike coronavirus relief funding used in CARES Act grants, the State of Idaho is not the primary recipient of this funding and will not review expenditures for eligibility, but rather act as a pass-through entity for distribution purposes only. The State Comptroller’s Office will work with NEUs to provide prompt distribution.
If an entity wishes to receive funding and has not already registered to receive CARES Act funding, it will need to register to receive funding from ARPA. To complete an entity registration, 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 is having trouble registering or applying for funding, they are encouraged to call the Idaho State Comptroller’s Office at 208-334-3100 for telephone assistance.
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