WORCESTER – Applications are now available for ARPA community-related program funds for Worcester organizations, small businesses and individuals.
The City of Worcester released the applications on Friday.
The funds are part of approximately $50M in community-based allocations related to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The programs in the first round are:
- Community Projects & Programs – designed to assist nonprofit organizations with grant funding to support projects and programs that respond to the negative effects of the pandemic. Proposals for programmatic assistance can request up to $250,000, and proposals for capital improvement projects can request up to $1,000,000.
- Small Business Safety Net – provides grants to for-profit small businesses that were affected by the pandemic. Grants will range from $5,000 – $11,500 based on the program guidelines.
- Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation – provides grants to owner-occupied properties to help address building or sanitary code violations. Grant amounts are up to $30,000 per eligible unit.
- Lead Paint Abatement – provides grants to property owners to abate lead paint hazards in residential properties built prior to 1978. Grant amounts are up to $15,000 per eligible unit.
- Flood Insurance – designed to assist owner-occupied properties that are in a flood zone. Grants are provided in amount of 50% of the annual flood insurance premium cost. For more information on flood insurance assistance, click here.
Neighborly, a web-based grant management platform, will streamline the administration and management of applications. Organizations, businesses and individuals can submit applications in August. Grant applications are available now at worcesterma.gov/arpa for interested applicants to familiarize themselves with the programs and eligibility criteria.
The City is hosting two technical assistance workshops for interested applicants of the Community Projects & Programs funding on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 6 PM in the Levi Lincoln chambers at City Hall, as well as virtually on Monday, Aug. 22 at 6 PM with live Spanish translation. Additional languages can be added upon request.
Additional workshops for the Small Business Safety Net program will be announced soon.
For more information, click here. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
