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1. Who will review my application?

The City of Monroe has assembled a group of volunteers from amongst current members of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Applications involving projects that will impact and/or support businesses will be reviewed by members of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB); applications involving projects that will impact and/or support people will be reviewed by members of the Community Human Services Advisory Board (CHSAB); applications involving projects that will impact community infrastructure or events/activities that bring people together will be reviewed by members of the Planning Commission and Park Board.

2. What criteria will be used to evaluate my application?

The City of Monroe has established evaluation criteria, based on input from a group of members of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees, that will be used to evaluate all ARPA funds applications. A link to this document is also available on the general ARPA funds webpage.

3. What is a "project"?

"Project" is the term the City of Monroe uses in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Application to describe what the applicant intends to accomplish. This is inclusive of all allowable uses of ARPA funds.

Allowable uses include:

• To respond to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19;
• To provide assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits related to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19;
• To aid impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
• For premium pay (hazard pay) up to $13/hour to eligible local government essential workers;
• For grants to eligible private employers to provide hazard pay to essential workers;
• To provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to COVID-19; or
• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
• Transfer funds to private nonprofit organizations “for the primary purpose of protecting and promoting public health;
• Loans or grants are permissible to protect the local economy or promote compliance with public health guidelines.

4. What is a "partner" / "partnership"?

"Partner" / "Partnership" can represent any business or non-profit agency that is participating in the project other than the primary applicant.

5. Are partners/partnerships required?

If the primary applicant has either a Monroe business license or a 501(c)(3) non-profit designation, then partners/partnerships are not required. If the primary applicant has neither of these, at least one partnering agency that holds such a designation is required.

6. How much money is available?

The City of Monroe has established three categories into which applications will be assigned (definitions for each category are provided in the application packet): Supporting Recovery, Reconnecting Community, and Building Resiliency. Mayor Thomas and the Monroe City Council have dedicated $437,000 to each category for the current round of funding.

7. When will funds be available?

Applications will be reviewed in October, and the recommendations of the respective review committees will be submitted to the Monroe City Council for its consideration in November or December. A funding timeline is available on the ARPA Funds webpage.

8. Will there be additional funding rounds?

The City of Monroe is anticipating a second round of funding. Applications will be available beginning in the first quarter of 2022, with funds available in the second quarter of 2022.

9. Are round 1 recipients eligible for future funding rounds?

Yes. Recipients of ARPA funds from the current funding round will be eligible for funds in the second and any subsequent funding rounds, for either the same or a new project. If the applicant anticipates applying for continued funding of the same project in future funding rounds, a description of that anticipated future need should be included in the Budget Narrative section in the application packet.

10. What is my status if I'm awarded funds?

Recipients of City of Monroe ARPA funds will be assigned to one of the following categories: contractor or subrecipient. If the applicant agency is the direct and final recipient, the agency is a contractor; if the applicant agency is in turn passing ARPA funds through to other entities (individuals, non-profit agencies, or businesses), the applicant agency is a subrecipient. For questions about the compliance requirements for contractors and subrecipients, contact Finance Manager David Hammond at DHammond@monroewa.gov or 360-863-4885.

11. I've been awarded funds...what are the next steps?

Recipients of ARPA funds will enter into a municipal services contract with the City
of Monroe. As part of the contracting process, recipients will need to provide proof of liability insurance, a W-9 form, and proof of either a Monroe business license or 501(c)(3) designation. An ARPA awardees workshop detailing the contracting process will be held in December 2021.