American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Norfolk mural

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was passed by Congress in March 2021 to aid in the economic recovery and emergency response to COVID-19.  Norfolk is both the direct and indirect recipient of various federal and state grant funds from this legislation.  The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) is the single largest direct source of funding at $154.1 million, and was the focus of the city's public engagement efforts.

Adopted SLFRF Investment Plan

At the March 4th and 5th City Council retreat, the City Manager presented his final recommendation to City Council.  On May 10th, City Council adopted its final SLFRF investment plan.  The major investment categories are outlined in the table below:

Adopted SLFRF Investment Plan

CategoryAllocation
Downtown Floodwall Project$64,000,000
Continuity of Services$48,100,000
Neighborhood CIP Projects$24,000,000
Nonprofit Assistance1$13,000,000
Broadband Expansion2$5,000,000
Total$154,100,000


1Includes $800,000 previously appropriated by City Council to continue eviction mitigation services
2$6 million previously appropriated for Broadband Expansion - actual cost was $5 million - remaining $1 million re-allocated to Neighborhood CIP projects

The Investment Plan was adopted as part of the city's budget process.  Most of the SLFRF funds will flow through the city's annual budget.  The FY 2023 Operating Budget includes $3.45 million for Continuity of Services, and the FY 2023 Capital Budget includes $56 million for Neighborhood CIP projects ($24 million) and the Downtown Floodwall Project ($32 million).  Additional SLFRF funds will flow through future city budgets.  In FY 2024, an additional $32 million will support the downtown floodwall project and $19.1 million is planned to maintain the continuity of existing city services.  The remaining $25.5 million that City Council approved for the continuity of services will flow through subsequent budgets.  This plan is outlined in the Projected Appropriations Timeline table below:

Project Appropriations Timeline - Adopted SLFRF Investment Plan


Category
Previously AppropriatedFY 2023
Budget
FY 2024
Budget
Subsequent BudgetsStandalone Ordinance(s)
Total
Broadband Expansion1$5,000,000



$5,000,000
Neighborhood CIP Projects2$1,000,000$23,000,000


$24,000,000
Downtown Floodwall Project
$32,000,000$32,000,000

$64,000,000
Continuity of Services
$3,500,000$19,100,000$25,500,000
$48,100,000
Nonprofit Assistance3$800,000


$12,200,000$13,000,000
Total$6,800,000$58,500,000$51,100,000$25,500,000$12,200,000$154,100,000


1$6 million previously appropriated for Broadband Expansion - actual cost was $5 million - remaining $1 million re-allocated to Neighborhood CIP projects
2Includes $800,000 previously appropriated by City Council to continue eviction mitigation services
3Ordinances to authorize expenditure of Nonprofit Assistance Funds will be brought to City Council as specific uses are identified

Details regarding each of the Neighborhood CIP projects supported by ARPA funds can be found in the Adopted FY 2023 Budget document and CIP Dashboard.  More detail on each project can also be found by clicking on the project names below:

Construct a Downtown Floodwall
Transform Northside Park
Transform Barraud Park
Improve 23rd Street Streetscapes
Improve and Maintain the Zoo
Construct Public Boat Ramp on Pretty Lake
Support Outdoor Athletic Field Lighting
Renovate Selden Market
Improve Former Greenies Site
Construct Wooden Fishing Pier at Granby Street Bridge
Provide Gap Financing for Affordable Housing Initiatives
Construct Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum
Improve Huntersville Park Site


Project Tracking Dashboard


Norfolk ARPA Resources