The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law in March 2021, provides direct financial relief due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The County of San Mateo was awarded $148,897,819 in recovery funds.
Under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the County is committed to using these funds in a fair and equitable manner. These efforts include:
- Supporting public health programs and services
- Addressing negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic
- Serving disproportionally impacted communities
- Investing in infrastructure
- Replacing lost public sector revenue
This page will serve as a reporting tool on where these funds were allocated and the impact of those investments. The information is currently under development. Please check back often.
Tranche 1
On September 28, 2021 the board approved the following actions related to final budget revisions to the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget, which included American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding:
- Homelessness: Navigation Center and/or acquisition of additional hotels ($20,000,000)
- Lost Revenue Reimbursement: reimbursement to County departments for loss of County revenue incurred through the course of the pandemic ($20,000,000)
- Community Initiatives: community efforts related to equity and recovery ($10,000,000)
- Business Support: funds for the creation of the North County Small Business Center, for the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and for WeHope to develop a modular housing manufacturing plant in East Palo Alto ($5,500,000)
- Environmental Health Fees: one-time support to about 5,400 businesses to offset revenue losses incurred due to restrictive COVID-19 Health Orders ($5,150,000)
- Vaccine Outreach, Events, and Mass Vaccination for 3rd Dose: administration of vaccines in communities at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, and enhanced vaccine outreach through extra help staffing and community-based providers ($5,000,000)
- SMC Strong Small Business Assistance Program: 200 grants of $10,000 each to eligible small businesses that have not received a County or state/federal small business COVID recovery grant or loan in past 12 months, plus $75,000 to SMCU Community Fund to administer the program ($2,075,000)
- Home Delivered Meals Expansion for Older Adults: expansion of the County’s home delivered meals program for older adults for two years, following the end of the Great Plates Delivered program ($1,950,000)
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Emergency Food Assistance: emergency food assistance for vulnerable populations and creation of grocery delivery programs for older adults ($2,550,000)
- Micro Food Business Grant Program: grants of up to $2,500 for cottage food operators, $5,000 for caterers, food trucks, food carts, and $10,000 for
commissaries and incubator kitchens ($500,000) - Microenterprise Home Kitchen Ordinance (MEHKO) Pilot and Grant Program: $238,000 for EHS to operate MEHKO pilot permitting program and $62,500 for individual grants of $2,500 to 25 MEHKO permit holders ($300,000)
On April 19, 2022, the Board of Supervisors allocated up to $10,396,410 in ARPA funds as the required local match for the state Homekey program which allowed the County to purchase a 52-unit hotel in the city of San Mateo for individuals experiencing homelessness. Read the full memo, including the County’s application to the program: View full memo
Tranche 2
On May 17, 2022, the Board of Supervisors allocated $6 million in ARPA funds to various COVID recovery initiatives related to housing and security, including rent and utility assistance, childcare and out-of-school enrichment programs, public wifi, small business centers and Second Harvest Food Bank. Read the full memo and recipient categories: View full memo