In Plymouth, the big news at the County Commissioners’ meeting Thursday was big money. The Commonwealth is slated to receive $5.3 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA.
Bobbi Clark has more:
County Treasurer Tom OBrien explains:
“This is to deal with the whole package that is the American Rescue Plan Act. So that was signed into law by President Biden on March 11th and this deals with a whole host of things: vaccinations, schools, libraries, other costs that they have—unemployment insurance. So, it’s a portion of that $5.3 billion that’s going to be made available to cities and towns to deal with the coronavirus relief program.”
So, will the County be distributing these funds?
“The County is taking that under advisement. We’re trying to make a determination as to what the best course of action is going to be.”
County Commmision Chair Greg Hanley says the U. S. Treasury has authorized the County to distribute ARPA funds:
“We’re already authorized to do it. Whether we can participate is another question. So we’re analyzing it from the point of view of how do we benefit our member communities the most. If the County doesn’t take the money, then we would give it back to the state for them to administer. And then the question for the state will be—and the only real concern of the Commissioners is: will 100% of the money, if we relinquish it—that goes back to the state—come back to the County 100%.”
The County Commissioners meet next Wednesday evening, May 26th at 5:30.
