Richland County Seeks Input On Spending Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds

Press release from the Richland County Government:

July 1, 2021

Richland County is seeking community input on how it should use its share of $350 billion in emergency federal funding awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The County will receive an estimated $80 million to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis through ARPA, which was signed into law in March by President Joe Biden.

At richlandcountysc.gov/ARPAfunding, residents can find a fact sheet with information on eligible funding options and give feedback through an online survey.

Physical copies of the survey are available at the second-floor front entrance of the County Administration Building at 2020 Hampton St., Columbia.

Eligible uses for ARPA funding include:

• Spending for public health, including COVID-19 mitigation efforts such as vaccination and testing programs, support for exacerbated behavioral health needs, and payroll for public health and safety personnel
• Addressing negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 crisis, including providing assistance to families facing financial insecurity, supporting small businesses, accelerating the recovery of local tourism, and rehiring public sector staff
• Replacing lost public sector revenue
• Investing in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure

Richland County Administration will consider comments submitted through the public input process as the County develops a multi-year spending plan for ARPA funding. Later this year, the County will hold a public meeting to discuss the feedback received and provide more information on its plans to distribute funding.

The online survey is available through Aug. 20. Hard copies must be submitted in person to the County’s Budget and Grants Management Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 20.

Public comments, which are due Aug. 20, can also be sent to the County by:

• Email: gaither.steven@richlandcountysc.gov
• Mail: Richland County Government
  Budget and Grants Department, 2020 Hampton St., Suite 4036
  P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29204
  Attention: Steven Gaither, Grant Manager
• Fax: 803-576-2138

This press release was produced by the Richland County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.