Making the Case for How Your Main Street Can Be Supported by the American Rescue Plan Act

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, represents a unique opportunity for localities across the nation to address community-driven priorities, and advocates of Main Street revitalization, ranging from local changemakers to national organizations, are seeking to make the case as to why funding that’s guaranteed to municipalities should go towards helping build stronger commercial districts. As a result, Main Street America (MSA) has created a resource page, Accessing Recovery for Main Street, that offers a range of resources and tips for how Main Street communities can be supported by ARPA funding.

To successfully make the case for your Main Street, community revitalization leaders need to secure a seat at the table, advocate and be prepared. In coordination with municipalities, Main Street organizations can be recovery partners, promoting hyper-local strategies that further Main Street vitality and the voice of the community. Given the broad potential use of ARPA funds, it’s important to identify key economic recovery challenges, connect stakeholder needs with local priorities and speak up for direct programmatic support as planning efforts coalesce.

Check out the following resources to help document your impact, hone talking points and plan for recovery:

  • Use this worksheet to document the ways in which your Main Street organization supported small businesses and the community during the pandemic.
  • Use this template to plug in your local economic impact and personalize for your community.
  • Plan your outreach for ARP funds with this checklist built to walk you through the steps of advocating locally for funding for your program and projects.

Visit the Accessing Recovery page to learn more, and view additional resources to help your Main Street organization, particularly the following information:

Click here to learn the estimated amount of funding allocated to your locality!