Project must be under contract by Oct. 1

As a critical deadline approaches, Governor Mark Gordon reminds entities engaged in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant process that projects must be under contract by Oct. 1 to avoid a clawback of funds.

During the 2024 budget session, the legislature provided the Governor flexibility to reappropriate and appropriate unobligated ARPA funds. However, federal compliance and reporting requirements necessitate strict internal deadlines, as outlined in a June 10 update letter,

The Governor established two requirements for the use of these reappropriated funds. First, ARPA funds should be directed towards infrastructure that will benefit citizens for decades to come.

“If ARPA funds cannot be expended in ways that do not have long-term benefits to Wyoming, I would rather return remaining unspent ARPA funds,” Governor Gordon said.

Second, funds must be expended or under contract by the federal deadlines. As a result, ARPA funds will not be appropriated to new programs or projects brought forward by agencies or other applicants.

The current status of redeployed ARPA funds can be found on the “ARPA Updates” section on the homepage of the Budget Department website. Currently, Wyoming has redeployed $47 million in ARPA funds, for projects related to water and sewer, mental health, housing and administration.

Any funds available after the Oct. 1 deadline may be deployed to local governments to reimburse or reduce local matches for previously approved water infrastructure projects. Projects that underwent a funding swap in June 2024 from Water Development Account I and II to ARPA Funds by and through the Water Development Office, the OSLI and Water Development Office will reach out directly on next steps.

Inquiries about ARPA project proposals should be emailed to [email protected].