BARNSTABLE — The federal American Rescue Plan Act sent $41.3 million to Barnstable County.
That money has now been divided into four separate pots: $12.8 million will be spent by county departments on major regional projects; $11.4 million will go to housing initiatives (see story on page one); $10 million is on its way to the Cape’s 15 towns; and $5 million will be distributed in a grant program open to nonprofits, businesses, and town departments, with winners to be announced in April.
The regional projects and housing allocations still require approval by the Assembly of Delegates before applications can begin.
A Formula for the Towns
The first money to be allocated, $10 million destined for the 15 towns on Cape Cod, required months of brinksmanship and debate between the county’s three commissioners and the 15-member Assembly. Ultimately, the two bodies agreed on an allocation formula that was largely based on each town’s year-round population, with a small upward adjustment in the amount reserved for the smallest towns — including the four of the Outer Cape.
After the formula for defining the 15 towns’ shares was settled, each one still had to apply for its money from the county.
Seven of the 15 towns have now received their grants: Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Orleans. Eastham’s grant is awaiting a final vote by the county commissioners, according to Barnstable County ARPA manager Kara Hughes. The $301,420 will go to groundwater cleanup, stormwater remediation, and the drafting of a wastewater management plan, Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe told the Independent.
Submissions from Dennis, Harwich, and Provincetown are still being reviewed. Provincetown proposed to use its $208,000 to help lower-income residents connect to the town’s new sewer system. Wellfleet plans to use its $202,440 allocation for wastewater analysis and housing at Maurice’s Campground, which the town purchased in December.
Town Manager Darrin Tangeman did not respond to an email seeking an update on Truro’s plans before the Independent’s deadline.
Competition for Small Sums
Individual town departments, nonprofit groups, and even for-profit organizations were allowed to apply for the “small and medium grants” of $100,000 to $500,000. Interest in this program was high, and 122 groups submitted letters of interest. Only 40 were invited to submit applications, and together they totalled $14 million in potential spending. There was only $5 million in this pot, however.
When the application deadline passed last month, 39 proposals had been submitted. Three broadband-related requests were included, along with five requests related to housing, one to water, 12 to public health, seven to community service, four to early education and child care, seven to food security programs, and one for local business assistance.
The winners of these grants will be announced in April.
County Initiatives
In early November, the Barnstable County Commission approved 18 projects proposed by six county departments, totaling $12.8 million. The projects support water quality, affordable housing, post-Covid health and emergency management, digitization of county records, and equipment for the county’s dredging program.
The $12.8 million allocation still requires approval from the Assembly of Delegates.
