The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided a significant boost in unstructured funding to municipalities. Because the financial recovery from the pandemic was much smoother than expected, these dollars have been able to fund "dream projects" that would have not have been possible otherwise. Skim this article (https://www.route-fifty.com/finance/2022/07/heres-how-recovery-funds-are-going-beyond-rescue-localities/368963/) to learn about a few examples including tiny homes for alternative housing for the homeless, solar energy, and public safety initiatives. This summer, I am working for the City of South Bend's Office of Sustainability and these funds have been instrumental in funding programs in alignment with their Climate Action Plan (CAP). 

 

However, these dollars are not forever, so my questions are: Do you know of any ARPA-funded projects in your own community? Are there any drawbacks to this short-term flush of cash? What are the criticisms of ARPA, and what is your response to them?

 

2. It feels as if we are currently experiencing a long economic hangover from the pandemic. How long do you think this financial hangover will last in the U.S.? What do you think has caused this "COVID recession"?