American Recovery and Reinvestment Act information

On Feb. 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The recovery package provides a total of $789.5 billion in spending and tax cuts over two years. North Carolina counties will benefit directly from increased federal participation in Medicaid funding from Oct. 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.

Many federal agencies have additional funds for existing grant programs that counties may be eligible to apply for. Counties are urged to register with www.grants.gov in order to keep abreast of these funding opportunities as they become available. In addition, counties are advised to register with FedConnect and create an account to receive a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number in order to apply for discretionary federal grant funds. The Department of State Treasurer released a memo with instructions on how to apply for a DUNS number.

This Web page will be updated regularly as the Association learns of grant opportunities for county governments. Links to federal agencies in charge of implementing the various components of the ARRA are provided on the White House's recovery page. Please bookmark this page and check the links regularly for updated information and opportunities.

• eCivis shares 10 winning tactics for writing grants

• USGBC Top 10 ways to use ARRA funds for green building (PDF)

• U.S. Department of Labor memo on Davis-Bacon requirements (PDF)

Deadline for next reporting round extended to Jan. 15
Federal Government releases revised reporting guidance

The federal government has extended by five days the due date for next mandatory Recovery Act reports, covering the Oct. 1-Dec. 31 reporting period and has revised its guidance on jobs reporting and data quality for these reports. Originally, the reports were due Jan. 10, 2010, but the White House recently announced that there would be a five-day grace period extending to Jan. 15. All reports submitted between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15 will not be considered late. All Recovery Act recipients that have received notices of award by Dec. 31 are required to submit reports; the report is in addition to reports that are required by the individual federal agencies that disburse the funds.

• Click here for more information.

State Energy Office annouces RFP for local government, school facilities for energy efficiency improvements

The North Carolina Energy Office and the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery and Investment announce the availability of two Requests for Proposals for energy efficiency projects – one for local government buildings and another for public schools and community college buildings. Funding comes through the federal Recovery Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program administered by the state Energy Office.

• Click here for more information

• SEO identifies 37 firms for free technical assistance

ARRA includes several different funding options for counties to build, renovate schools, facilities

The ARRA included billions of dollars for local governments and several different funding options that can be used for counties in North Carolina to build new schools or renovate existing facilities. Click the links below for information about these various programs.

• Sample resolution to designate a Recovery Zone

• Memo from OERI regarding reallocation of unused authorizations

• ARRA includes funds for Recovery Zone ED and facility bonds

• New bonds could yield big savings for counties

• State BOE releases guidance, allocations for QSCB program

• Commissioners approve request for bonds (Lexington Dispatch)

• Henderson County pursues interest-free loans (Hendersonville Times-News)

• Build America Bonds provide new school funding option for counties

• West Virginia becomes first state to sell QSCB

• N.C. Legislation: Changes for Bonds Authorized under ARRTA

Information from the NCACC

• Impacts of federal stimulus on N.C. and counties (PDF)

• DHHS announces plan to pay Medicaid credit to counties

Information from state or federal agencies

• Funds awarded by LEA, including charter school allotments (XLS)
• White House memo regarding spending of ARRA funds (PDF)
• Reporting guidelines for ARRA funds from the OMB
• Implementation Guidance from the federal Office of Management and Budget (March 3 - PDF).
• COBRA guidance from the Department of Labor
• Link to all ARRA grant opportunities on grants.gov
• Memo from State Treasurer re: Audit Requirements for ARRA funds (PDF)
• Memo from State Treasurer re: Fiscal Management Issues for ARRA funds (PDF)

Helpful links

• www.NCrecovery.gov: State Web site tracking federal recovery funds in North Carolina and listing of local contract and grant opportunities
• www.federalreporting.gov: Federal Web site to serve as the official government website for recipient reporting.
• www.Recovery.gov: Federal Web site tracking progress of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• www.sog.unc.edu/listservs.html: School of Government Web page to sign up for the new “fedstimulusnclg” listserv, for local government officials to learn about and discuss stimulus issues.
• www.ncsl.org/statefed/2009economicstimulus.htm: Resource page created by the National Conference of State Legislatures includes many NCSL analyses of the various programs offered through the ARRA.