American Rescue Plan Committee

For a list of members click here

Note that, as described below, the ARPC has completed its charge and fulfilled its responsibilities to the Board of Selectmen and will not be conducting further business.

ARPC Background and Activities:

  • The $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP)  was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021 to accelerate the country's recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • On June 15, 2021, the First Selectman announced that the ARP will award Old Lyme a total of $2,162,215. 
  • In September, 2021, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) appointed the ARPC, charging it with developing an objective approach that will be used to identify  Old Lyme residents, businesses, and organizations who were both impacted by the COVID pandemic and met ARP’s eligibility guidelines and criteria for receipt   of fundings. 
  • The committee met for the first time on October 6, 2021, and continued to meet weekly, thereafter; with the goal of making a detailed recommendation to the BOS for the distribution of the ARP funds by June 30, 2022.
  • A community needs assessment was conducted; application and review processes were developed and publicized with posters in local businesses, and via print and online media; and an extensive mailing. Applications and supportive documentation were accepted by the ARPC until May 2, 2022. 
  • After review, the ARPC recommended (1) an array of economic recovery grants for financial losses sustained by small businesses and not-for-profit organizations; (2) substantial support for Old Lyme infrastructure and emergency services; and (3) funds for initiatives sponsored by organizations in the Town that impact a broad segment of the community. The ARPC did not consider requests from individuals or households that suffered losses during the pandemic; but rather, recommended that funds be allocated to the Social Services Discretionary Fund and Lyme Youth Services Bureau, whose missions already include assisting those most in need within the Old Lyme community. 

On June 21, 2022, the Boards of Selectmen and Finance voted to accept the ARPC’s recommendations and moved it forward to a Special Town Meeting on July 5, 2022; where it was unanimously approved.

 

Overview

  • The grant application period is ended, and this committee no longer meets.
  • Old Lyme residents (individuals/families) in need of economic assistance due to the pandemic are strongly urged to email Social Services.
  • Thank you to everyone who completed our survey! Read an article published on LymeLine with a summary of the initial results.
  • The American Rescue Plan Committee was created by the Board of Selectmen in September 2021. The mission statement of the committee is:

"The ARPC will develop and recommend a strategy to the Board of Selectmen for the allocation of ARP funds that benefits the Old Lyme community, which has been impacted by the COVID pandemic. The Committee will strive to operate in a transparent and objective manner and consider input from the community at large. The group's goal is that their recommendation for fund deployment will, when carried out, maximize benefits for those living and working in Old Lyme. The ARPC will provide regular updates to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance with a goal of submitting final recommendations prior to June 30, 2022."