Thanks to the Pittsfield Town Monitor Mary Jane Dunlop for reporting that over the next two years, the City of Pittsfield will receive about $32.4 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This plan is hoped to relieve some of the economic and health impacts to cities, businesses and families as a result of the pandemic. The City is seeking input from the community about how these funds should be used. Please complete the survey below by the close of business on September 1, 2021. Click for the community survey in English, or survey in Spanish. Please note that Community Development Director Deanna Ruffer said that census tracts around the Morningside and West Side neighborhoods have been highlighted for additional help. This funding can be used to:
- Address the negative economic impacts the community has experienced as a result of COVID-19.
- Provide assistance in disproportionately impacted neighborhoods (for Pittsfield this is defined as the Morningside and Westside neighborhoods)..
- Provide premium pay to low income employees who are doing or did essential work – working in businesses considered high risk, worked with the public, and/or distributed goods – during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- To offset reductions in local government revenue due to COVID-19.
- Invest in water and/or sewer infrastructure.
- Invest in broadband infrastructure.
The funds cannot be used for: Tax reductions or cuts, Pension fund payments/deposits, Legal Settlements, To meet Federal grant match requirements, Roads and Bridges