Baltimore City, MD — Sept. 11, 2024 - While the pandemic itself feels far behind us, a federal COVID funding deadline is now right around the corner. Leaving Baltimore City with millions left to spend in a short amount of time.
In 2021, Baltimore City was handed $641 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). But the one-time gift from the federal government came with two deadlines. All of the money must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Whatever remains after those deadlines pass will be returned to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
At first glance, the city’s ARPA dashboard shows 100% of the funds have already been “committed.” However, in order to officially be “obligated”, the money must be formally assigned to a project.
Less than four months away from the deadline, $12.7 million is earmarked under “pending projects.” Seemingly, indicating that funding is still unaccounted for. The Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs (Recovery Office) also released a report stating, as of June, just $445 million was officially obligated.... Read More: FOX45