Delaware will allocate $100 million of it’s $1 billion American Rescue Plan money for building needs. Photo by Ksenia Chernaya/Pexels
Delaware will spend $100 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to provide nonprofits with one-time grants to support major capital projects.
The Community Investment Recovery Fund, announced Thursday by Gov. John Carney, will be paid for using funds the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Delaware received $925 million from the federal stimulus bill, which is designed to hasten the economic recovery from the pandemic.
The announcement Thursday was the latest in a string of proclamations about how the federal money will be spent.
Carney announced the allocation of $226.4 million in ARPA funds this week, including this recovery fund, $26.4 million for affordable housing in Wilmington, $50 million for jobs training programs statewide, and $50 million to replace the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna.
Last month, Carney announced a $110 million plan to provide universal wired broadband access for all Delaware homes and businesses.
That leaves nearly $600 million in remaining ARPA funds to be allocated toward yet-to-be-announced projects.
For a non-profit to receive funding, it must complete an application by Nov. 30, 2021.
Grants will only be made available for capital projects that meet strict federal compliance eligibility standards, according to the application portal.
This fund exceeds the General Assembly’s record-setting Community Reinvestment Fund by $30 million. The Community Reinvestment Funds are included in the state’s Bond Bill each year and provide grants to nonprofits for capital projects. The FY 2022 one totaled $70 million and relied on legislators to decide how to allocate the grants.
Carney said in his announcement that the one-time nonprofit grants will help Delaware rebuild from the pandemic and come out of the crisis “stronger than before.”
“This Recovery Fund will help support community centers and other nonprofits that are seeking to rebuild and strengthen the communities they serve every day,” Carney said.
It is not clear what the governor’s office is doing to track the funds or determine the efficacy of the investments.
Both the state treasurer and auditor appear to be separately monitoring allocations to towns, cities and school districts on their state webpages.
Charlie Megginson covers government and politics for Town Square LIVE News. Reach him at (302) 344-8293 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @cmegginson4.
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