American Rescue Plan Funding Appropriations

Congressional House Resolution 1319, better known as the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This piece of legislation provides funding to local governments in order to assist in responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Town is anticipated to receive a cumulative total of $5,227,178.00 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The Town has recently received the first round of funding under this appropriation of approximately $2.6 million and expects to receive the remaining 50 percent of its allocation sometime around May of 2022.

Guidance on How American Rescue Plan Funds may be Used

Town Council's Expenditure Plan

Based upon the guidance that has been issued thus far by the United States Department of the Treasury, conversations with the South Carolina Municipal Association, the International City/County Managers Association, the Government Finance Officers Association, and a review of potential/planned expenditures from other similar South Carolina jurisdictions, Town Council has approved the following expenditures:

Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency
- $1,000,000 - Community Foundation of the Lowcountry Pandemic Impact Grants
  - $500,000 in FY22 and $500,000 in FY23
Replace lost public sector revenue and target funds to the following:
- $400,000 - Home Repair-Structural Safety/Removal of Unsafe and Uninhabited Structures Program
  - $200,000 in FY22 and $200,000 in FY23
- $1,000,000 - Town Hall Security and Technology Improvements
  - $1,000,000 in FY22 and $0.00 in FY23
- $1,000,000 - Patterson Tract Development / Infrastructure
  - $500,000 in FY22 and $500,000 in FY23
Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure
- $200,000 - Lateral Sanitary Sewer Connection Grants
  - $100,000 in FY22 and $100,000 in FY23
- $1,627,178 - Public Infrastructure
  - $300,000 in FY22 and $1,327,178 in FY23

Total = $5,227,178

Overview of Funding Areas

How Do I Apply for Funds?

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has announced guidelines to distribute funds from the Hilton Head Island ARPA/SLFRF Covid-19 Fund that was established by the Town of Hilton Head Island with $1 million of the more than $5 million it received through the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The funds were provided to local governments to help them respond to Covid-19.

All grant distributions will comply with federal guidelines and will address negative economic impacts caused by Covid-19, including healthcare, housing assistance, childcare and education, rent and utility assistance and food insecurity, among other pandemic-related impacts. The maximum amount per grant is $50,000.

Nonprofits eligible to apply for a grant include 501(c)(3) organizations providing services to low- and moderate-income citizens of the Town of Hilton Head Island. Organizations must be able to verify the income level of program recipients.

An advisory committee consisting of community leaders and representatives from the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Community Foundation will review grant applications and determine grant awards. The first grant cycle will start immediately, with the application deadline of November 30, 2021. Additional cycles will be defined as needed.

Questions about the grant process can be directed to Debbie Cahoon, Vice President for Community Investment, at dcahoon@cf-lowcountry.org or by calling 843-681-9100.