On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This Act is intended to spur economic growth and create jobs. The City of Apache Junction is doing its part to identify the funding opportunities that will best enhance our community while focusing on job creation and economic vitality.

The President has created a website, www.recovery.gov, which is intended to provide information about the Act as well as transparency and accountability. Information about the Act is continuously updated on www.recovery.gov.  Different agencies have produced and provided documents that include pertinent and valuable information about the programs available. 

1. The Arizona League of Cities and Towns has produced a funding book.
2. The firm of Patton Boggs LLP has produced a comprehensive summary of the Act which may provide insight into the different programs within the Act.
3. The County Supervisors Association has also produced an ARRA Guidebook, in Excel, which provides an easy to view summary of the ARRA broken up into common catergories within local governments e.g. Housing, Public Safety, etc.

The funding opportunities that may be available to the City are in the form of grants and are either competitive nationwide or formula grants. Formula grants are an allocation of funding that is provided to the State of Arizona or local governments based upon a formula. This funding may be provided to entities if they meet the eligibility requirements of the formula grant and if a viable project can meet the criteria of the program. Although there are basic criteria for all projects within the Act, each federal agency will provide specific requirements that the City must meet in order to apply for funding.

Some Recovery Act criteria for projects are:

Projects that are “shovel ready” and can start in 120 days;
Project that provide jobs;
Projects must utilized the Davis Bacon Wage requirements;
Projects that provide economic benefit;
Projects that “buy American”; and
Projects that are completed within 2 years

Not only is the City identifying ways to bring funding to the different departments within the City government but it is dedicated to offering information regarding the Act to area residents and local non-profits. Through the Act, area residents may see:

Car Allowance Rebate System, also known as Cash for Clunkers;
Foreclosure Prevention and Assistance;
An increase in food stamps; and
Tax rebates and credits through the IRS including:
1) the Earned Income Tax Credit;
2) the Child Tax Credit;
3) Making Work Pay;
4) Social Security recipients, Veterans and Railroad Retirees $250 rebate; and
5) Credit for first-time homebuyers

There may be a variety of informational opportunities including Public Meetings offered by the City or outside organizations, visit the Information Opportunities link for additional information.

Local funding announcements will be updated when applications are submitted and when the City receives funding. Visit the Funding Announcements link for additional information.
 
Please feel free to contact the Revenue Resources Manager for more information or visit www.recovery.gov for up-to-date information. To track what is happening throughout the State of Arizona visit the Governor's website AZRecovery.