WATCH: Unpacking Federal Funding Opportunities to Create More Livable Communities
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are historic funding opportunities to strengthen communities for the future. As local governments compete for grants and seek to implement investments strategically, they must navigate complex funding rules and reporting requirements to design programs and partnerships that can deliver measurable, equitable outcomes for all residents. To address persistent challenges and build resilience against future threats, it will be critical that spending decisions represent the voices and needs of people of all ages, abilities, races and incomes – including older adults, who have disproportionately been impacted by the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will require augmenting capacity in short-staffed departments and agencies, as well as finding new and innovative ways to engage communities and harness local partners and resources.
Local governments don’t have to face this challenge alone. ELGL and AARP have teamed up—in partnership with Funkhouser & Associates—to host a unique cohort-style program in spring 2022, which will bring the power of peer-to-peer learning and a support network to help your jurisdiction tap into and leverage those federal funds for transformative impacts.
Featured Speakers
Brent Stockwell – Assistant City Manager, Scottsdale AZ
Jyotsna Khattri – Communications and PR Manager, El Paso County
Kimiko Black-Gilmore – Assistant City Manager, Kansas City, Missouri
Mark Funkhouser – President, Funkhouser & Associates
Ready for more?
Funkhouser & Associates and AARP partnered in 2021 to create a playbook for local leaders filled with ideas and illustrations for how to access federal funds to meet community needs related to transit, mobility and open spaces; high-speed internet access; water, sewer and utility systems; housing and health. This spring’s six-week curriculum will help local leaders unpack those ideas and more to seize on opportunities in ARPA and IIJA and make impactful investments in livability.
Learn more about the key provisions and funding areas in ARPA and IIJA, how to help your community get an edge on competing for grants, and how to apply for the cohort program here.