Las Cruces, NM – The City of Las Cruces is soliciting proposals for community and economic development initiatives through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The ARPA funds available are in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These federal funds are to be used by the city for programs or services that address or mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on households, businesses, or populations disproportionately affected by the public health emergency.
A pre-application meeting will be held on September 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. in the council chambers of the City Hall, 700 N. Main St., to provide interested applicants with further information on ARPA funds. Further information can be found at https: //www.las- cruces.org/2222/Discover-Housing-and-Community-Ressourcen
The deadline for submitting applications from eligible 501 (c) nonprofits ends at 4:30 PM on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Applications are only accepted online via: https://lascruces.smapply.org/prog/ARPA.
Possible priorities include:
- Programs or services that facilitate access to health and social services.
- Programs or services that address housing insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or homelessness.
- Programs or services that address or mitigate the educational impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency or that promote healthy environments for children.
- Programs or services that provide loans, grants, benefits in kind, or advisory programs to small businesses or nonprofits to help mitigate the negative economic effects of the pandemic, such as declining sales or the effects of business closures.
- Programs or services that provide small businesses or nonprofits with technical support, advice, or other services to aid in business planning.
- Programs or services that accelerate the recovery of affected industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality, which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and business closings.
- Programs or services that help households manage the negative economic effects of COVID-19.
Information on possible uses can be found in the provisional final rule, Section II.2. at: https://www.regulations.gov/document/TREAS-DO-2021-0008-0002.
The city has set several ARPA project requirements. This includes:
Requirement 1: Meeting the established criteria of the ARPA eligibility category; and used to respond to the public health emergency or its adverse economic impact.
Requirement 2: Applicants must have the organizational capacity to carry out the proposed activities and to comply with the record keeping and reporting requirements of the City of Las Cruces.
Evidence of organizational performance includes:
(1) A copy of the agency’s most recent audit or annual accounts, preferably within the last six months.
(2) If necessary, reimbursable activity for at least two months.
(3) You must already have recognized exemption status and be able to provide a copy of your current 501c designation from the Internal Revenue Service.
Requirement 3: Provide documented services to residents living within the city limits.
Requirement 4: According to city regulations, certain requirements must be met in order to negotiate an agreement and pay out funds. The contractor’s recipients must take out appropriate insurance, depending on the nature of the project, to cover workers’ compensation, personal injury, property damage or motor vehicle liability. The contractors are responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses and for complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.
Requirement 5: Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024.
The City of Las Cruces reserves the sole right to determine responsible applicants and suitable proposals; Identify and abandon minor formalities in the responses to requirements that do not affect the price, quality, quantity of items or services sought; and decline any or all of the responses / suggestions and end this solicitation process.
For submission or assistance questions, please contact: Natalie Green, Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Las Cruces; Rathaus, 700 N. Main Str., Room 1132; or PO Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88004; 575 / 528-3086 or by email to [email protected].
Information from the city of Las Cruces.
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