It is in the best interest of the County to identify best practices and procedures, and to identify a strategic plan for ensuring that the County, including its residents, businesses and stakeholders realize the maximum relief and benefits available as a result of ARPA aid.

This Investment Plan is a living document and will continue to evolve as the County engages stakeholders and monitors additional Federal actions and other possible funding sources that could shift the demands on its ARPA funding.

In order to best address the needs pf the County, we must reflect upon what we learned from COVID‐19. As we have navigated our way through this pandemic, we have:

1. Reimagined our operations and workforce;
2. Developed a better understanding of the health disparities in our communities and the need to address them;
3. Seen the progression of growth industries, the introduction of clean, green energy sources, and the necessity in fostering development of their technology and infrastructure;
4. Seen the progression of growth industries, the introduction of clean, green energy sources, and the necessity in fostering development of their technology and infrastructure;
5. Developed a deeper understanding that partnerships with governments, community organizations, and businesses are essential to achieving sustainable change;
6. Recognized the importance of the intersection of health, mental health and recreation for our youth and for the public as a whole, and the need to break down barriers to create broader opportunities for all citizens; and
7. Seen the internet/broadband challenges that exist in both rural and urban areas, and the significant hindrance this has had on our students.

Moving forward, key goals in the County’s recovery include support for community members and organizations that have been impacted or disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be a continued effort to achieve systematic changes that will provide the most strategic and sustainable long-term benefits for the County’s stakeholders, rather than investing in short-term solutions, with an overarching vision of creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy in our County.

A decision-making framework has been established to oversee the use of ARPA funds that will adhere to Treasury guidelines, combat the negative impacts of COVID-19, and set the County on a path to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. This framework includes an Executive Committee comprised of key County officials, including the County Executive, bipartisan representation from the County Legislature, the County Comptroller, and the Office of Management and Budget, as well as focused subcommittees comprised of County representatives and public stakeholders. Subcommittees have worked collaboratively to establish priority areas of investment based on member expertise and community input. Their recommendations were the basis for this Investment Plan, which we are publishing for community feedback as we prepare to release applications for funding.