Democrats Deliver: Over $34 Million Dollars for Ulster County
Enacted just a year ago, the American Rescue Plan is already hard at work.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, by President Biden. ARP is delivering direct relief to the American people, rescuing our economy, and helping to beat the virus.
At the height of the pandemic, ARP provided multiple rounds of $1400 checks to low and middle-income individuals; among other benefits ARP also: provided grants, lending and investment to thousands of hard-hit small businesses; lowered health care insurance premiums and covered 100% of COBRA payments for the newly unemployed; increased tax credits (child, earned income, and child and dependent care); expanded high-speed internet infrastructure, and extended loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair their homes, and grants to very-low-income elderly homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
Part of the genius of ARP is that it provides direct, flexible funding; another part is that it relies heavily on individual counties – the driving force behind communities and the economy -- as the front-line in determining and delivering this aid. Best approaches to recovery and resilience are typically local and cannot be a one-size-fits-all plan. Of the total ARP funds, $3.907 billion goes to New York’s counties, with $825 million for the NY State’s small cities and towns. Ulster County alone is receiving $34,491,474. The first installment was received in Spring 2021 and the second is expected to arrive next month, in May 2022. Funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026.
Last June, following public hearings, Ulster County (population 175,000) created a spending plan for this $34+ million ARP package to address small businesses, mental health, infrastructure, and housing.
To date, $5 million has been allocated for mental health and addiction recovery services, including $3 million for a 24/7 community crisis response hub and respite housing. Funds are also being used to purchase the Elizabeth Manor, an old boarding house in Kingston to be used for emergency housing. In March 2022, the legislature approved $1 million to fund a second round of small business bailouts and $2.1 million for outdoor recreation trails construction and renovation - trails being so important to our physical and mental health, especially during COVID, as well as a great contributor to our area’s economy.
Ulster County is also making $1.5 million in funds available to eligible 501(c)(3) designated non-profits and 501(c)(19) veterans service organizations to help offset the disproportionate negative effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Details on how to apply for these grants is available at https://ulstercountyny.gov/arp/projects. The application deadline is May 6, 2022.
Democrats delivered yet again recently when Governor Hochul announced changes to New York State's $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program that will enable even more small businesses to apply for funding: businesses with revenues up to $2.5 million can apply for grants, up from the previous threshold of $500,000. Additionally, the limitation for businesses that received Federal Paycheck Protection Program loans has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000.
Other examples of Ulster County ARP spending plans include: The Town of Ulster will use more than $85,000 to reimburse five local fire districts for their efforts during the early February ice storm; the Wallkill School District is using it’s $4+ million grant for PPE, Learning Loss and Summer and After School Programs, professional development, new technology and mental health services; and the Department of Education has allocated $2,603,285 in ARP funds for Ulster County Community College.
Listed below: The individual Ulster County town ARP grants, delivered to you by the Biden administration and the Democratic Party. (And don’t forget: Every Republican in Congress voted against the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan):
Ulster County $34.44 million
City of Kingston: $18.66 million
Denning: $60,000
Esopus: $960,000
Gardiner: $610,000
Hardenburgh: $30,000
Hurley: $660,000
Town of Kingston: $100,00
Lloyd: $1.15 million
Marbletown: $600,000
Marlborough: $940,000
New Paltz: $1.54 million
Olive: $470,000
Plattekill: $1.12 million
Rochester: $790,000
Rosendale: $630,000
Saugerties: $2.09 million
Shandaken: $320,000
Shawangunk: $1.52 million
Ulster: $1.38 million
Wawarsing: $1.38 million
Woodstock: $630,000