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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Resources

Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Melrose received approximately $8.4 million in federal aid to respond to the public health and economic impacts of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the Mayor's Office

Mayor Brodeur and his staff have been in the process of collecting and evaluating proposals from City departments and community members for use of the ARPA funds, reflecting a wide range of needs. Mayor Brodeur made it a priority to gain community members’ input on how the City prioritize the use of these financial resources - input that will enable the City to best support the community’s needs over the next three years.

Mayor Paul Brodeur launched the Community Needs Assessment Survey to collect community feedback around the use of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Community members completed the four-minute survey, which asked participants to rate a series of community needs and identify projects of interest. View the Results of the Community Needs Assessment Survey - May, 2022

In response to the survey results, his office has also launched a Grant Program to aid local small businesses and nonprofit organizations as they continue to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. This competitive grant program, funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief funds, is now open and applications will be accepted until this year’s available funds have been disbursed. Learn more about the program. In addition, the City has launched and scheduled countless projects to improve the City's infrastructure and community health and wellness, including launching free Mental Health First Aid Courses, and more.

How the City Has Distributed ARPA Funds, as of June 2023

ARPA Distribution by City Department

Pie Chart

ARPA Distribution by Community Need

Pie Chart

Mayor Brodeur's ARPA Memos to the City Council to Date

About the American Rescue Plan Act
Under the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by the federal government in March 2021, Massachusetts state, county, tribal and local entities will receive federal aid to respond to the public health and economic impacts of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has compiled the following rules and resources related to the American Rescue Plan Act from Massachusetts, the federal government, other state agencies and private organizations. Click here to learn more.