June 29, 2022 Old Saybrook, CT—The Town of Old Saybrook has opened an application process for community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses as well as Town of Old Saybrook departments, boards and commissions to apply to receive a portion of the $2.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated by the federal government to the Town of Old Saybrook for use in addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application period will run from July 1 through September 1, 2022. Applications are available on the Town of Old Saybrook’s website located at www.oldsaybrookct.gov.

The application is a culmination of months of work by Old Saybrook’s eight-member ARPA Ad Hoc Committee, which is charged by the Old Saybrook Board of Selectmen with “researching the best uses of ARPA funds for the Old Saybrook community as permitted by United States Treasury Guidelines, advising the Board of Selectmen on how best to deploy said funds and any other recommendations suitable to the committee as it relates to ARPA funding.”

First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. noted, “This is an exciting, one-time opportunity for our community to invest $2.9 million in ways that will have long-lasting impact for our residents. The Board of Selectmen and the ARPA Committee have been very thoughtful about how to maximize the impact of these dollars and to make the process of distributing them equitable and transparent.” He added, “Approximately $250,000 of the funding was distributed before the formation of the committee to address emergent community needs; however, all remaining funding will be distributed through the application process.”

Applicants are asked to apply for eligible reimbursements or funding for programs, services and capital investments that address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 public heath emergency. New, transformative ideas with community-wide impact are encouraged. Applications are not available for individuals or families and funding is not meant to replace other federal, state or local assistance programs. Individuals or families who need assistance should contact Old Saybrook Social Services at 860-395-3188.

The Old Saybrook ARPA funding application, a record of funded projects to date, and a list of FAQs for applicants is posted on the Town of Old Saybrook website at www.oldsaybrookct.gov. For additional questions related to ARPA funding, please email [email protected].