Falls County announces public needs program
Falls County Commissioners approved a portion of their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding be made available as grants to non-profit organizations that have faced economic hardship resulting from or exacerbated by the public health emergency, or to non-profits that provide services to impacted individuals or households.
The County’s ARPA Public Needs Program is designed to support organizations, programs, and activities that primarily benefit Falls County residents.
Organizations eligible to apply for funds include nonprofit corporations, associations, agencies, or faith-based organizations with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit status under the Internal Revenue Service Code. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible to apply for this type of funding. Eligible organizations must:
• Primarily serve Falls County residents or businesses
• Be a non-profit organization
• Demonstrate financial impacts directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Perform all functions and services in accordance with the regulatory requirements of 31 CFR Part 35 and Compliance Provisions identified in the ARPA Terms and Conditions
• Have proof of insurance
The grants could include funds to cover a loss of earnings, decline in revenues, or impacts of canceled fundraising events during periods of closure or limited operations due to public health orders; unexpected expenses related to an increased demand for services or mitigation efforts to contain the spread of COVID; and/or other necessary expenditures related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law. The $1.9 trillion Fiscal Recovery Funds package is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health and economic impacts.
Falls County is scheduled to receive a total of $3,359,739 to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts.
Eligible uses of the funds that are being considered by the County for funding include road and bridge projects, and other projects that benefit the public. Additionally, Falls County Commissioner’s Court approved a portion of the ARPA funding be made available as grants to non-profit organizations. Through these grants, it is the intent of Falls County to fund programs that provide services to address priority public health needs in the County.
GRANT AWARDS
Award amounts will be based on the priority need for the service, the demonstrated need of the organization requesting funding, the number of households served, the cost per recipient, the capacity of the organization to deliver the service, and the status of non-profit or historically underutilized business.
Funds are anticipated to be awarded by the Commissioner’s Court on April 26, 2022.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications and supporting documents will be available March 15, 2022. All submissions will be due before 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 21.
For an application, contact Kelly Szelestey, Falls County Judge’s Office, Falls County Courthouse, 125 Bridge Street, Marlin, Texas, or kelly@co.falls.tx.us.
You may also contact Jerri Gauntt, GrantWorks ARP Project Manager, at 254-340-0034, or jerri.gauntt@grantworks.net.
Applications will also be available on the front page of the Falls County website at www.co.falls.tx.us.