EAST BRIDGEWATER — The East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen announces that the Town is seeking residents interested in serving on a five- to seven-member ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Committee.
The Town is receiving approximately $4.3 million in ARPA funds. The committee will work to decide the best way to invest these funds to help address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its economic ramifications, as well as lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.
The committee will review proposals and bring requests to the Board of Selectmen for approval.
While ARPA grants can be used for a variety of purposes, the Board of Selectmen expects most of the funds to be used for projects that will have a long-lasting impact on East Bridgewater, rather than on programs that are normally funded through the Town’s operating and capital budgets. ARPA funding can also assist the Town when revenues have decreased due to the effects of the pandemic.
Residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a letter of interest, noting the strengths they would bring to the committee, to the Board of Selectmen’s office no later than Feb. 11. Letters of interest may be submitted via email to rjohnson@eastbridgewaterma.gov.
Residents with a background in finance or experience as local business owners are among those who would be best suited for the position, however any resident who is interested in serving on the committee is encouraged to apply.
The committee is expected to begin work in March.
“This committee would be a terrific opportunity for our residents to get involved in their local government and help the Town move forward as we continue to address the ongoing pandemic,” East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen Chair David Sheedy said. “We encourage residents of all backgrounds and experiences to apply and have their voices heard.”
About ARPA
As part of the federal $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was signed in March of last year, a total of $350 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments is being made available to assist communities nationwide that have been disproportionately hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Collectively these funds are part of what is known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program.
For more information on the program from the U.S. Department of Treasury, click here.
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