New York Gets $387M To Boost Covid-19 Relief Infrastructure: NYS

NEW YORK — To shore up Covid-19 relief infrastructure ahead of the fall and spring as a preemptive strike against possible surges from the coronavirus, Gov. Kathy Hochul is allocating $387 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, which will go toward 1,452 local government’s across the Empire State.

While ARPA has provided $10.7 billion in relief to local governments to New York throughout the pandemic, non-entitled units of government — such as smaller cities, towns and villages, do not receive that funding directly from the U.S. Treasury. The governor plans to ensure these NEUs receive the funding from the state, according to Hochul’s office.

"We have been able to move safely forward through this pandemic because of our close coordination with partners at every level of local government," Hochul said in a statement. "As we respond to new variants and plan for any potential surges this fall, this is yet another step we are taking to boost our preparation efforts and we will continue to work with local partners to keep New Yorkers safe."

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of Poughkeepsie, which is in the Hudson River Valley region, said the state has come a long way since the height of the pandemic in 2020.

“Many of our communities and local governments are still on the road to recovery and will benefit tremendously from this second installment of federal support,” Maloney said in a prepared statement.”These critical funds … will be used to expand access to behavioral health care, invest in clean water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, and support small businesses that lost revenue during the public health emergency."

Nassau U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice said she was proud to have voted for ARPA.

“This second installment of relief funds will help our local villages, towns, and cities take another step towards financial recovery,” said Rice in a statement. “This money will allow our local governments to provide premium pay to essential workers, fill revenue gaps caused by the pandemic, strengthen pandemic mitigation plans, and bolster public infrastructure by investing in drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects."

Queens and Manhattan U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, helped to craft ARPA.

“I was responsible for crafting the portion of the American Rescue Plan Act that ensured cities, states, tribes and territories each got their fair share of the funding including tens of billions for New York State and City to help us build back better,” said Maloney in a press release. “I applaud Governor Hochul for getting these funds to the local governments who need them most and support an equitable recovery for our hardest-hit communities."

The Federal guidelines allow New York's cities, towns and villages receiving ARPA funds to use this aid for purposes including but not limited to:

• Support public health expenditures. For example, funds may be used for COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff;
• Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency; This includes economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector;
• Replace lost revenue. Funds may be used to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic;
• Provide premium pay for essential workers. Additional support may be offered to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors; and
• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Funds may be used to make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.

The amount being sent to each NEU, as well as their total allocation, which includes the Summer 2021 payment, is available on the Division of the Budget website.