The City of Las Cruces is soliciting proposals for Community and Economic Development initiatives, through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds.
The available ARPA funds are in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These federal funds are to be used by the City for programs or services that address or mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for households, businesses, or populations disproportionately impacted by the public health emergency.
A pre-proposal meeting to provide interested applicants with more information about ARPA funds will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 23, 2021 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St. For additional information visit https://www.las-cruces.org/2222/Discover-Housing-and-Community-Resources
The deadline to submit applications from eligible 501(c) nonprofit organizations is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Applications will only be accepted online through: https://lascruces.smapply.org/prog/ARPA.
Potential priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Programs or services that facilitate access to health and social services.
- Programs or services that address housing insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or homelessness.
- Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on education or that promote healthy childhood environments.
- Programs or services that support small businesses or non-profits with loans, grants, in-kind assistance, or counseling programs to mitigate the negative economic impact of the pandemic such as declines in revenues or impacts of periods of business closure.
- Programs or services that support small businesses or non-profits with technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs.
- Programs or services that speed the recovery of impacted industries, such as tourism, travel, and hospitality that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and business closures.
- Programs or services that provide assistance to households to address the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Guidance on potential uses can be found in the Interim Final Rule, Section II.2. at: https://www.regulations.gov/document/TREAS-DO-2021-0008-0002.
Several ARPA project requirements have been established by the City. Those include:
Requirement 1: Meet the established ARPA eligibility expenditure category criteria; and be used to respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts.
Requirement 2: Applicants must have the organizational capacity to carry out their proposed activities and meet the record keeping and reporting requirements of the City of Las Cruces.
Demonstration of organizational capacity includes:
(1) A copy of the agency’s most recent audit or financial statement, preferably within the past six months.
(2) Ability to operate on a reimbursement basis for at least two months, if necessary.
(3) Must already have an established exemption status and must be able to provide a copy of their most current 501c designation from the Internal Revenue Service.
Requirement 3: Provide documented services to residents who live within the City limits.
Requirement 4: Under City regulations, certain requirements must be met in order to negotiate an agreement and disburse funds. Contractor recipients will be required to obtain adequate insurance covering worker's compensation, bodily injury, property damage, or automobile liability, depending on the nature of the project. Contractors will be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses and for complying with applicable federal, state, and municipal laws, codes and regulations.
Requirement 5: Projects must be complete by Dec. 31, 2024.
The City of Las Cruces reserves the sole right to determine responsible applicants and responsive proposals; determine and waive minor technicalities in the responses from requirements not affecting price, quality, quantity of items, or services sought; and to reject any or all responses/proposals and terminate this solicitation process.
For submission questions or assistance contact Natalie Green, Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Las Cruces; City Hall, 700 N. Main St., Room 1132; or P.O. Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88004; 575/528-3086, or email at ngreen@las-cruces.org.