The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was created to provide immediate and direct relief to families and workers impacted by COVID-19.

ARPA provides $350 billion total funding, and $65.1 billion for counties in the United States. Smith County is estimated to receive $45 million, to be encumbered by the end of 2024 and to be completely spent by the end of 2026. Funding was given to Smith County by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. 

ARPA PROJECTS UPDATE - FEBRUARY 13, 2024 - A presentation given in Commissioners Court showed the up-to-date projects Smith County has planned for its ARPA funding. They include:

• Smith County IT Projects (radio upgrades, IT Department remodel, IT security and cybersecurity upgrades) - $4.1 million
• Smith County Vehicles (purchasing and upfitting) - $7.6 million
• Rural Water/Sewer Projects - $6.4 million
• Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County Mental Health Wing- $500,000
• Hospitals (medical staff retention) - $4.1 million
• Line Street parking lot and security lights for Adult Probation Department employees - $193,000
• Miracle League of Tyler – baseball field surface for disabled and handicap children - $264,654
• Road and Bridge Facility - $990,000; new Fueling Station - $683,580
• New County Road 3344 to serve Tyler Economic Development Council’s new Business Park, where several large businesses are coming in to Smith County - $5.8 million
• Renovations for Smith County Veterans Services Office to relocate to Camp V - $130,000
• Mental health services initiative pending approval - $4 million
• Smith County Spay and Neuter Project - $100,000 to Angel Paws Advocates, a nonprofit partnering with The No Strays Project to offer vouchers for free spay and neuter services for Smith County residents.

Smith County appointed an internal task force to vet suggestions on how the funding should be used and to make recommendations to the Smith County Commissioners Court.

Fore more information about the American Rescue Plan Act, visit the websites below: 

https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/fact-sheet-the-american-rescue-plan-will-deliver-immediate-economic-relief-to-families

https://www.naco.org/resources/featured/us-treasury-interim-final-rule-guidance-state-and-local-fiscal

https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-10283

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRPFAQ.pdf