American Rescue Plan Category 1 Permitted Uses

In this 12-minute audio snippet, Scott Coburn, General Counsel and Director of Education at PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors), reviews American Rescue Plan category 1 permitted uses at a May 14, 2021, PSATS webinar.

NOTE: On June 29, 2021, the Township received the first deposit totalling $1,024,920.93.

Mr. Coburn focuses on uses in response to COVID-19 or consequences of economic harm due to COVID-19. This includes assistance to unemployed workers, improvement to technology infrastructure, new public communication efforts, and loans/grants to small businesses and 501c(3) non-profits. 

See below for Mr. Coburn's slides.

These are just a few of the permitted uses. To learn more about eligible uses of the funds, view a fact sheet on the 151 page regulation. Also listen to "American Rescue Plan: Part 2" by Holly Fishel, Policy & Research Director at PSATS.

NOTE: Mr. Coburn also talks about prohibited uses under Category 1. "General Infrastructure [e.g., roads abd bridges] is off the table," warns Mr. Coburn. "You have to make sure that it connects to a specific health need or negative impact response." That sounds like a pretty high hurdle.

Newtown Township’s allocation of these funds is anticipated to be $1,936,231. The Township should have ½ of the Township’s funds by June, 2021. The second half will come before March 11, 2022. What SHOULD these funds be used for? TAKE MY SURVEY This survey lists a few suggested uses of this fund and asks you to what degree you approve each of these uses. You can add comments that include other uses you would like to see the funds spent on. Note that this money is not to be used for daily operational costs, but rather one time funding opportunities focusing on capacity building, and infrastructure.

Mr. Coburn's Slides

The slides are embedded in the document below or you can download the PDF file here.