General Information
On March 11, 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) and through this federal legislation, the State of Wyoming will receive $1.2 billion. In April 2021, the Wyoming legislature enacted legislation related to these anticipated funds. ARP funding objectives include: (1) support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control; (2) replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs; (3) support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and (4) address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic.
Recipients may use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to: (1) support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff; (2) address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector; (3) replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic; (4) provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors; and, (5) invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.
Under ARP, the state, counties and smaller local governments will receive specific allocations either directly from the U.S. Treasury or through the State of Wyoming. Click here for a list of county allocations. Many Wyoming cities and towns (categorized as non-entitlement units for local government (NEUs)) will receive distributions (via a warrant (check) or electronic funds transfer (EFT)) from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO).
ARP Resources: