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Countdown to December 2024: College Park’s Plan for Remaining ARPA Allocations

By

On August 6, 2024

In COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to communities across the United States. In response, the federal government implemented the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), providing crucial financial support to local governments. Our city received a total of $21,972,844 in State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, split equally between July 2021 and July 2022. This blog post outlines how our city has utilized these funds and the plans for remaining allocations.

ARPA Fund Overview

The primary purpose of ARPA funds was to aid local businesses, families, and individuals in recovering from the pandemic’s economic impacts. Eligible uses included:

  1. Assisting businesses and residents
  2. Investing in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure
  3. Recovering revenue loss due to the pandemic

Our city elected to take the standard allocation of $10 million for lost revenue, as permitted by the US Treasury’s final ruling on January 11, 2022.

Current Status of ARPA Funds

As we approach the end of Fiscal Year 2024, most of our ARPA funding has been spent or obligated through subrecipient agreements. However, two allocations remain unobligated:

  1. Stormwater Mitigation: $760,000 unobligated out of $1.4 million allocated
  2. Meals on Wheels: $800,000 allocated, fully unobligated

The City Manager is actively working to finalize arrangements for the Meals on Wheels allocation.

Looking Ahead: FY2025 and Beyond

With the US Treasury’s December 31, 2024 deadline for obligating remaining ARPA funds approaching, our city is taking proactive steps to ensure full utilization of these resources. Key points to note:

  1. The obligation deadline requires that contracts or similar transactions be executed by December 31, 2024, although funds can be spent until December 31, 2026.
  2. The City Manager and Finance Director recommend allocating the remaining Lost Revenue Recovery funding ($1,108,773) and any unobligated ARPA funds to employees’ salaries and benefits. This strategy aims to eliminate potential obligation issues.
  3. A formal recommendation will be presented to the City Council on September 3, along with a proposed budget amendment.

Transparency and Flexibility

It’s important to note that throughout this process, our city has maintained flexibility in fund allocation. In fiscal years 2022 and 2023, several reallocations were made between ARPA-funded and Lost Revenue Recovery-funded projects to ensure compliance with US Treasury rules.

Conclusion

As we navigate the final stages of ARPA fund allocation, our city remains committed to maximizing the impact of these resources for our community’s benefit. We continue to prioritize transparency and adaptability in our approach, ensuring that these funds contribute significantly to our city’s economic recovery and long-term resilience.

Stay tuned for updates following the September 3 City Council meeting, where final allocations will be discussed and approved.

 

City may Assist More Hotels and Restaurants using ARPA Grants

By

On October 31, 2022

In Business, COVID-19

The Hospitality and Hotel industry in College Park suffered severe economic calamity during the Pandemic. Loss of revenue from room occupancy, conferences and food sales displaced workers and reduced many services offered by the hotels and restaurants, but luckily now it is much easier to find Hotel Oceanfront Balcony rooms, restaurants even have more options available for clients, people can even call for private dining. The grant offered will help cover property rent and basic services that include water, electricity, and cleaning services. Businesses seeking professional cleaning services often look for providers with strong credentials and a proven track record. This resource emphasizes the importance of certifications in areas like floor care, carpet cleaning, and workplace safety.

Many restaurant owners don’t know that they need to keep their kitchen well maintained and that doesn’t mean washing the dishes and mopping the floor, proper kitchen hood cleaning and grease recycle needs to be done and with everything else piling up the monthly expenses don’t come cheap. Most restaurant owners are ensuring the safety of everyone because they are in the food business. Kitchen Ventilation Hygiene Services is perfect for providing a safe, clean, and hygienic space for employees, visitors, and customers. The kitchen designs made it more efficient for staff to use a lot of cabinets to keep it well organized and clean. That’s why they hire the best Roanoke pest control companies to help them remove all unwanted pests living in the area.

The Mayor and Council approved the use of ARPA Funds to assist College Park Hospitality and Hotel industries recover from financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. To date, using ARPA funds, the City has issued 86 grants to Families and Individuals totaling $125,718.06, and 49 grants to Businesses for a total of $1,212,657.00. These allocations were made by authority and permission from the City Council at the implementation of our $2,500,000 ARPA funded Small

Business and Hotel Hospitality grant program. Additionally, the City made a $3,000,000 ARPA Grant to the Community Preservation Trust and The College Park City University Partnership (CPCUP). To further assist the hospitality industry, staff recommend the following RPA fund allocations to the following applicants:

(a) $300,000 to The Hotel/Southern Management Companies

(b)  $150,000 to Cambria Hotel/Southern Management Companies

(c) $350,000 to GrillMarx UMD Restaurant

At tomorrow’s meeting, the City Council will discuss the allocation of the proposed grants.

COVID-19 Cases on the Rise: New Variant, BA.5

By

On September 20, 2022

In COVID-19

Due to the highly transmissible BA.5 variant, COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising.

Residents six months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible if they are not already, and those 5 and older should get a booster dose (if you are 50 or older you can get a second booster dose).

Continue to get tested if you feel sick or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you test positive, please stay home for at least five days and follow CDC guidelines. COVID-19 treatment is also available at pharmacies across the region as part of the federal government’s Test-To-Treat program.

The Test-To-Treat Program allows people who test positive for COVID-19 to receive proper treatment. You can get a prescription after meeting with a doctor on-site or through telemedicine consultations. Locate a Test-To-Treat site here.

COVID-19 Testing Sites
For more information about COVID-19 testing or to use the County testing site locator to find a testing site near you, click here to visit the County Health Department website.
COVID-19 testing locations in the District 1 area include the following:
Wells Ice Rink Parking Lot
5211 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

At-home rapid COVID-19 test kits can be purchased at major pharmacies and retailers in-store and online.

Patients are encouraged to report their at-home rapid test results by visiting covidlink.maryland.gov/selfreport to report positive results directly to the Maryland Department of Health.

Please note: Ordering through the free COVID-19 rapid test kits program from the federal government was suspended on September 2, 2022. Visit covid.gov/tests for more information.

COVID-19 Cases are on the Rise

By

On May 20, 2022

In COVID-19

Due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising in Prince George’s County over the last six weeks. Out of an abundance of caution and to help the County avoid rising into the CDC’s “Medium” COVID-19 Community Level, the Prince George’s County Health Department recommends residents ages two and older wear masks in indoor public places voluntarily.
Residents five and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible if they are not already, and those 12 and older should get a booster dose (if you are 50 or older you can get a second booster dose).
Continue to get tested if you feel sick or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you test positive, please stay home for at least five days and follow CDC guidelines. COVID-19 treatment is also available at pharmacies across the region as part of the federal government’s Test-To-Treat program.
[Councilman Dernoga’s office]

FREE Second COVID Booster Shots For 50+ Residents

By

On April 1, 2022

In Announcements, COVID-19

  • The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have authorized that individuals ages 50 and older can get a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their first booster dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
    • Second booster doses are also authorized for individuals ages 12 and older who have weakened immune systems.
  • Reminder: The County’s mass vaccination clinic at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex will close after Friday, April 8.
    • For more information or updates about COVID-19 vaccinations, including a complete list of clinics operating in the County and the State of Maryland, visit the Health Department’s website here.
  • The Health Department highly encourages residents 5 and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible and to get tested if they have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. In addition, residents that are eligible for a booster shot should get one as soon as possible.
  • The Prince George’s County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management continue to distribute at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits and adult sized KN95 masks at designated locations each week, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).
    • Two test kits and/or two masks will be distributed per person ages 2 years or older present at the time of pick-up. The test kits and masks are free, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Residents will be required to show proof of County residency to receive a test kit or mask. Examples of proof of residency include, but are not limited to, a driver’s license, utility bill, or lease agreement.
    • For a complete list of locations, dates, and times, visit the County Health Department website here

City Announces Free COVID Test Kits for Residents

By

On February 4, 2022

In Announcements, COVID-19

The City has started distributing more than 1,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits to City residents in early February. If you are a City resident and would like a FREE COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit, you must fill out the reservation request form here.
The form will be active while supplies last; once we run out for the week or in general, the form will no longer work. If and when supplies are replenished, the form will go live and be updated with new pickup dates/times. Notices about the form and pickups will be posted on our website on City’s COVID-19 page (www.collegeparkmd.gov/covid19). City residents can receive up to two (2) kits per household. Supplies are limited on a first-come, first-serve basis; test kits are available only while supplies last.
To reduce lines and increase convenience, residents can select a location (City Hall; Department of Public Works; and Youth and Family Services) most convenient to them to pick up the test(s). Test kits will not be provided to residents without a reservation.
All test kits must be picked up during the pick-up days/hours at the location chosen within the time frame given. We cannot make changes after the form has been submitted. Any test kits not picked up by the end of the pick-up date window will be forfeited.
[City of College Park]

Free COVID Vaccination Clinic for Ages 5+

By

On January 21, 2022

In COVID-19

COVID vaccination clinic happening next Monday from 4 PM till 8 PM at College Park Academy. Below is the link to book an appointment. Appointment Booking Link: https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/0057621139

FREE COVID-19 Test Kits

By

On January 20, 2022

In COVID-19

The White House is providing four FREE COVID-19 rapid at-home tests test kits to every home in the United States. Those interested in ordering tests must provide a name and residential mailing address. Tests will ship through the mail within 7-12 days of ordering, with no shipping fees. To order your tests, click here.

Great news! Additional COVID-19 Testing Site Opening in College Park

By

On January 14, 2022

In Announcements, COVID-19

Starting Saturday, January 15
Thanks to MNCPPC, Express Healthcare will be able to expand its services to provide additional rapid and PCR testing in the community at:
Wells Ice Rink
5211 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20740.
Testing will operate Monday through Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 -7:00 pm. No appointment is needed. Drive-Up Only.
The opening of this site will assist in reducing traffic congestion on Baltimore Avenue and in the Lakeland community and provide additional testing in the community.

County to Distribute Free COVID Test Kits

By

On January 11, 2022

In Announcements, COVID-19

Prince George’s County will begin distributing 25,000 at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits each week through libraries and community centers, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday January 12. Test kits are free and residents must show proof of County residency when picking up a test kit. One test kit, which contains 2 tests, will be distributed per person ages 2 years or older, while supplies last. Distribution times and locations are included in the flyer.
Nos complace anunciar que comenzaremos a distribuir 25,000 kits de prueba rápida de COVID-19 cada semana a través de bibliotecas y centros comunitarios, a partir de este miércoles 12 de enero. Los kits de prueba son gratuitos y los residentes deben mostrar prueba de residencia en el condado al recoger un kit de prueba. Se distribuirá un kit de prueba, que contiene 2 pruebas, por persona de 2 años o más, hasta agotar existencias. Los horarios y lugares de distribución están incluidos en el gráfico.

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