The American Rescue Plan – What is it?

The American Rescue Plan (ARP or the Plan) became law on March 11, 2021.  The sweeping Plan is designed to aid our country’s recovery from the catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It provides $1.9 trillion to stimulate economic recovery and provide relief; and may be the most costly recovery plan in our history. Economists say the Plan is setting a unique precedent. It bigger than the New Deal’s response to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The State of Florida has been allocated approximately $17.6 billion from the Plan.  The Florida Legislature is dispersing about $10 million, and the remaining $7 billion will be allocated to various county and city governments around the state.

Shortly after the Plan became law, it was estimated that Sarasota County would receive $84.12 million; the City of Sarasota would receive $10.92 million; and the Sarasota K-12 school system would receive $69 million. Manatee County will receive approximately $78.21 million; the City of Bradenton, approximately $10.90 million; and the Manatee County K-12 school system, $86 million.

ARP funds first began to flow to Sarasota, Manatee, and other Florida localities in late April 2021.  The ARP sets various timelines for counties and cities to make plans and take actions – usually about 60 days or so from enactment of the ARP (March 11).  Therefore, how to best utilize and disperse ARP funds is a new challenge for Florida counties and cities.  The Plan is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

This page will be a regularly updated source to identify federal, state and local resources that will benefit Manatee and Sarasota residents as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

ARP Update Reports

– Update 1: Housing Assistance

– Update 2: CDC Eviction Moratorium

– Update 3: ERA and Employment Law

– Update 4: Eviction Processes

Update 5: Homeowner Forbearance Plans

These updates are made possible by a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation and United Way Suncoast.