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October 19, 2022

Public comments welcome on draft allocation goals proposed by ARPA Equity Panel

A wide shot of the Massachusetts State House

The Office of the Comptroller is a statutory member of the Federal Funds Equity & Accountability Review Panel, which will evaluate how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are spent in communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following is a news release issued by the Panel.

BOSTON – The Federal Funds Equity & Accountability Review Panel, “ARPA Equity Panel”, is seeking public comment on draft allocation goals proposed for federal funding received in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This independent panel was created by legislation enacted in December 2021 that authorized spending of ARPA funds and includes a wide range of stakeholders from communities across the Commonwealth.

The ARPA Equity Panel has created draft allocation goals to assess how ARPA funds are appropriated in communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Panel is looking for feedback from community members on the draft allocation goals. A website has been created to inform the public on the role of the ARPA Equity Panel as well as a section to provide public comment.

SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT

The Public Comment Period begins October 5th and end November 19th. The panel will also hold two Virtual Public Hearings to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and submit feedback.
In December 2022, Massachusetts signed into law Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs, “ARPA bill”, which deploys $2.55 billion of the states $5.3 billion in ARPA funds. The state reserved the rest of funds for future use. The ARPA bill also created a 25-member panel to evaluate how ARPA funds are spent in communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel is tasked with create a public tracking system and website of federal funds to track how ARPA funds are appropriated in communities that were disproportionally impacted by the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic.

For more details visit https://www.mass.gov/federal-funds-equity-accountability-review-panel

Virtual Public Hearing Information

Please join us on either of the two opportunities to learn more and share your feedback.

Who:     Massachusetts Federal Funds Equity & Accountability Review Panel

What:   The Panel is seeking public comment on draft allocation goals proposed on federal funding Massachusetts received in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

When: Thursday, October 20, 2022 – Noon-2PM & Thursday, November 10, 2022 – 6-8:30PM

Where: https://mass-gov-anf.zoom.us/j/84870270240?pwd=YjBLWlJUNk9xZHVmbllwNXN2OWZLUT09

Passcode: 338542

If neither of these dates works for your schedule, please feel free to review the draft allocation goals here on the Equity Panel website and provide your feedback via this form online.  Please feel free to share this information with any interested parties.

The Public Comment Period ends November 19th.