CARES Act/ARPA Funding

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which established the $362 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Of this total, $65.1 billion is provided in direct aid to counties and additional $1.5 billion for public lands counties. Chesterfield County is slated to receive a total of $68.5 million from this legislation.

At the Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Board of Supervisors meeting, the County held a public hearing to receive community input on how to best allocate the ARPA funds.

Guidelines and Limitations

Allocation of ARPA funds must follow stringent guidelines and restrictions. For more information, visit the U.S. Treasury webpage.

Allocation of ARPA Funding

Using the federal guidance provided, Chesterfield has identified four categories in which the money may be applied, including: 

  • Infrastructure Investment
  • Public Health and Community Support
  • Public Safety
  • Cybersecurity

View Chesterfield County’s allocation of ARPA funding (PDF). 

View the current Chesterfield County ARPA Recovery Report (PDF). 

CARES Act

Signed into law in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund to assist states and communities in overcoming challenges directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In summer 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam distributed approximately $1.3 billion in federal funds to localities, including $61.5 million to Chesterfield County. States received CARES Act funding based on population and Virginia also used population to determine its distribution of the funds among local governments.

At the Wednesday, Aug. 26. 2020, Board of Supervisors meeting, the County held a public hearing to receive community input on how to best allocate the remaining CARES Act funds.

Guidelines and Limitations

Allocation of CARES Act funds must follow stringent guidelines and restrictions. For more information, visit the U.S. Treasury webpage.

The money may not be used for recurring costs, revenue shortfalls or other expenses related to the normal day-to-day operation of government or schools.

Allocation of CARES Act Funding

Using the federal guidance provided, Chesterfield has identified six categories in which the money may be applied, including: 

  • business assistance
  • community assistance
  • food insecurity
  • schools
  • technology
  • virus mitigation/public health

View Chesterfield County’s allocation of CARES Act funding (PDF).

Additional Information