Dashboard Details Use Of Howard County’s American Rescue Plan Act Funding

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An interactive public dashboard mapping out the use of Howard County’s American Rescue Plan Act funding has been unveiled.

Powered by OpenGov, the ARPA Dashboard offers residents the chance to learn more about the various programs that have been supported through this funding and includes performance metrics and outcomes.

"When the ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program was enacted, we made a commitment to allocate and utilize these funds in an open, deliberative and transparent manner. The launch of this new dashboard holds us to our commitment and supports our broader initiative to create an environment of expanded government openness and transparency," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which was passed by Congress in 2021, the county received more than $63.2 million in ARPA funding. During the last three years, the county worked to leverage the federal relief dollars to support and promote recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for Howard County. This included investments in education, public health, economic recovery, housing, infrastructure and community services. For example, $10 million was awarded to the Howard County Public School System to fund educator and bus driver bonuses.

More than $10 million in funding was used to support critical health staffing, COVID-19 testing kits, face masks and other public health priorities. More than $10 million has been committed to directly support county residents through housing, food and utility assistance programs. Other ARPA investments include $5 million for infrastructure investments, more than $4 million to support businesses and workforce, and more than $2 million to bolster innovation and technology through broadband and cybersecurity upgrades to county systems and facilities.