The Town of Easton, Maryland, has launched a COVID-19 relief grant program for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and Town of Easton infrastructure. The program, known as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), was signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021.
Through this grant program, the Town of Easton will award a total of $16.4 million in Local Fiscal Recovery Funds across two years through 12/31/2024. Half of this funding, $8.2 million, was received on August 12, 2021, with the remaining funds expected in August of 2022.
Town of Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey said, “We intend to honor as many requests as possible and fund the many necessary infrastructure repairs and upgrades. In many cases, we will be adding amenities to the Town that will benefit everyone, such as park improvements, environmental upgrades, streetscapes, etc. The process of application reviews will take a significant amount of time, so as always, your patience will be appreciated.”
Tracy Ward, Executive Director for Easton Economic Development Corporation, said, “The Town of Easton is to be commended for its prompt action on this relief program that will result in critical one-time investments strengthening the Town’s economic base equitably.”
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Interim Final Rule1, the ARPA funding is intended to be used for four primary purposes:
a) To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
b) To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health
emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
c) For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and
d) To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
Town of Easton business owners and nonprofit organizations can submit an online application on the Town website, https://eastonmd.gov/562/American-Rescue-Plan-Application. “ARPA has created a unique, generational opportunity for the Town,” said Charlie Connolly, Assistant Finance Officer for the Town of Easton. “We need to ensure that this one-time infusion of funds has lasting impacts on the families and businesses of Easton.”
For additional information, contact the Town of Easton at 410-822-2525.
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