ARPA April 30 Reporting Deadline Approaches
An important reporting deadline is approaching regarding the American Rescue Plan and the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program. The Project and Expenditure Report is due April 30, 2022. For many local governments, this will mark the first time filing reports with the U.S. Treasury.
The NC League of Municipalities issued a letter April 1 emphasizing the importance of the upcoming deadline. Key takeaways include:
- Local governments should make sure that they have created an account within the Treasury portal and submitted a report by April 30th, even if they have not allocated or spent any of their ARPA funds.
- Local governments must elect to take, or not to take, the revenue replacement allowance this reporting period.
The Project and Expenditure Report User Guide is available here.
Foothills governments should contact Karyl Fuller at kfuller@foothillsregion.org if they need assistance with this process. FRC also will be reaching out with a survey next week to determine our member governments’ remaining ARPA reporting needs.
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This Week's Wins
Here are some things worth celebrating this week at Foothills Regional Commission and in our region.
- Staff members from Foothills Regional Commission and several representatives of Foothills member governments were among the ~700 people from more than 20 states who attended Fourth Annual Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee last week. This ARC event connects, educates, and inspires leaders and doers working to grow the outdoor industry and craft an economy that’s intimately tied to the well-being of their places and communities.
“It was so uplifting to be at a conference in person, especially this conference," said FRC Safe Routes Coordinator and RPO Planner Jerry Stensland. "The amount of knowledge and talent in attendance was amazing. It is a great time to be engaged in the outdoor recreation industry in Western North Carolina and see the impact it is having on our quality of life, economy and more.”
The photo above shows a tour of the Fire Mountain trail system as part of the sustainable trails session. Below, Heather Cotton, of Marion, and NC State Representative Brian Turner smile at the conference.
Got a "win" for the region or FRC that you'd like to see celebrated? Send it to Mackenzie Wicker at mwicker@foothillsregion.org to have it included in our next newsletter.
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Input Wanted: Safe Routes & Trails Study
Foothills Regional Commission has received funding to study opportunities to improve connections between the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, and nearby schools in Rutherford County. There are numerous schools located within walking and biking distance of these trails, but obstacles such as lack of complete sidewalks, bikeways, and safe road crossings can make it difficult to travel these short distances by foot or on a bike. By prioritizing safe walking and bicycling connections between schools and trails, we can provide increased opportunities for active travel and healthy lifestyles for students, parents, and community members.
The Trails to Schools Study will assess existing conditions including challenges and opportunities, gather public and stakeholder feedback and ideas, and recommend infrastructure, programmatic, and policy measures that can be used to improve walking and biking connections to schools.
Please take a look at the Safe Routes & Trails study site and contribute your thoughts through the brief survey linked on the main page!
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Save the Date: Digital Inclusion Plan Kick-Off
The Foothills Regional Commission is pleased to start the process for a Digital Inclusion Plan that will promote access to affordable broadband service, devices, and training in each county in the region. Please save the date for a kick-off meeting to be held via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. on April 28th.
We are planning to hold an informative session with experts from NC State's Institute for Emerging Issues, the State of North Carolina, and regional stakeholders. Dogwood Health Trust is providing funding for this key initiative, and Foothills Regional Commission will be sending out the agenda and Zoom link prior to the session on April 28th. In the meantime, please let us know if you would like to refer a colleague or stakeholder to this effort.
If there are any questions, please contact James Ayers via email at jayers@foothillsregion.org or by phone at 828-447-1367.
If you would like to be added to the Digital Inclusion Plan mailing list, please email Mackenzie Wicker at mwicker@foothillsregion.org.
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Upcoming Events
- Implementing the Standard Allowance for ARPA Local Funds - April 11-29. A course by UNC School of Government consisting of three parts: ~1 hour of short video overviews to be viewed before training; a live Zoom session April 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and daily Zoom office hours for local govs to drop in for help with implementation issues, project completion and expenditure reports. More information and registration available here.
- WNC Broadband Leadership Summit 2022 - April 20, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, virtual event featuring a conversation about federal policy in 2022, state policy and funding, regional highlights, filling in the gaps to leverage solutions, and breakout sessions. Register here.
- ARPA in Appalachia: Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Training Series - Part I: April 26, 10-11 a.m.; Part II: April 28, 10-11 a.m. This training is reserved for county and local government officials and staff, along with local development districts in the ARC region. Registration is available here.
- Virtual Retirement Planning Conference for Local Gov. Employees - (Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk counties) - April 28, 9:30 a.m. Great for anyone 0-5 years from retirement or for employees who just want to learn more about the retirement system. Register here.
- Creating Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces - May 5,10 a.m.-1 p.m. with a lunch break. WCU at Biltmore Park, Asheville. Free workshop. Register or seek additional info by emailing Bob Boylan at rcboylan@wcu.edu with your name, job title, and the jurisdiction you are representing. Registration ends Thursday, April 28, or when the class reaches capacity (55 attendees).
- Appalachian Health Leadership Forum - May 6, 10 a.m.-May 7, 2:30 p.m. Hear from national thought leaders on board governance best practices and how to effectively address social determinants of health in your community. More info and registration here.
- Caregiving: Planning for the Future of Your Loved One (and You!) - May 11, 1-4:30 p.m. at Tryon United Methodist Fellowship Hall,195 New Market Rd, Tryon. FRC Area Agency on Aging event. To register, call Tryon United Methodist Church 828-859-9218 with your name, phone number and email address. Leave a message if your call goes to voicemail. Attendance is limited to 30, so please cancel if you will not be able to attend. A waiting list will be created once capacity is met.
- NC Community Tree Webinar: Examples of How Trees are Used in Storm Water Control Measures - May 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Details and registration here.
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Please be advised that the Foothills Regional Commission office will be closed for the holiday on Friday, April 15.
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