The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was released by the U.S. Treasury Department to deliver $350 billion to eligible governments to offer relief after COVID-19 and help replace lost revenue used for public services, retain jobs, support immediate economic stabilization, and more. Congress has allocated Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to help provide an infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs. Recipients may use the funds in multiple overall categories including investing in water/wastewater, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Eligible infrastructure projects will support a specific pandemic health need or communities with disproportionate negative economic impact from COVID, as well as projects that were delayed due to project funding being diverted to COVID emergency response. Pennoni can educate, guide, and assist its client base as they navigate infrastructure endeavors in the water/wastewater and broadband space.
ARPA funding for eligible water and wastewater/stormwater infrastructure is aligned with the EPA’s Clean Water Revolving Fund. Qualifying projects include installation and replacement of failing treatment and distribution systems, consolidation of drinking water systems, management and treatment of stormwater or subsurface drainage water, and more. Pennoni engineers are experienced in the planning, design, and permitting of water/wastewater systems and can support clients in meeting demand for dependable water supply. Our projects aim to use and reuse water with efficiency and social and environmental sustainability in mind. Services include master planning, capacity evaluations and feasibility studies, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment, and more. For a full list of example projects and best practices, check out our one-pager.
Funds can also be used to improve broadband performance. We can aid and guide clients in delivering and increasing internet speeds to unserved or underserved areas. Pennoni helps clients fulfill a need for broadband expansion by addressing infrastructure deficiencies impacting municipal, economic development, educational, and other 21st century community activities. Advancing broadband service is essential to many communities, particularly demonstrated during the pandemic. We can offer clients guidance and support in developing required communication facilities through high-speed broadband, fiber optic services, and more. For more information and best practices on broadband performance projects, please review our one-pager.
All project costs must be incurred from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024 and funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026. Pennoni’s purpose is to offer services and equip our clients with the best tools and resources for long-term success. As our clients navigate ARPA funding and address systematic changes post-pandemic, our goal is to educate, guide and support.