Mayor will host ARP meeting October 6th!

Mayor Cantrell is holding a public ARPA meeting at LB Landry High School for the community to provide input about how ARP dollars should be used. This is a GREAT opportunity to show up and share your story -- How did the pandemic impact you & your community? How should these important funds be used to help New Orleans recover?

Here’s what you need to know about the American Rescue Plan.

The City was allocated $388 Million from the US Treasury for pandemic recovery, through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP money is flexible, one-time money. It was meant to keep the City operating, and help the people who suffered most from the pandemic. Approved ARP expenses include public health, economic relief to people and businesses, water and broadband infrastructure, and replacing lost tax revenue.

The first half of the funds, $194 million arrived in May of last year, and largely went toward replacing lost tax revenue. Mayor Cantrell did not host a public meeting for the first half of the funds. The second half arrived this summer, and will likely be allocated in the 2023 budget process (happening now).

Back in June, we wrote a blog about the Mayor’s initial priorities for the second half of the money. Since then, The Mayor has learned that the money can’t be used for Economic Development, which was a significant portion of her strategy.

In the Budget Town Halls this year, Mayor Cantrell announced her intentions to give $80 Million of what’s left to the New Orleans Police Department. Since they already received $20 Million from the first payment last year, that means the NOPD will have received nearly a quarter of the total American Rescue Plan funding— by far, the most of any department.

She also referenced the ARP in reference to public health, sanitation & illegal dumping, parks & parkways, sidewalks and streets, and youth programs, but did not give specific dollar amounts for those uses.

What Happens Next?

Next, the Mayor works with the Chief Administrative Officer and Department heads to prepare a proposal for the American Rescue Plan. They will submit that plan to City Council. City Council will have to vote to adopt the plan and allocate the funding before the City can spend it.

Make your voice heard this Thursday!

6-7pm at LB Landry High School, 1200 LB Landry Ave.