About the American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and established the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, providing support to State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments to respond to economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Manchester received $21.6 million to date and is expected to receive another $21.6 million in May 2022, totaling $43.2 million. Manchester residents were asked how they wanted funds to be used, and their responses were compiled into categories of eligible programs, as reflected in the City’s ARPA Funding Recommendations.
Landlord Incentive Program Accepting Participants
A landlord incentive program, administered by the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority (MHRA) in partnership with the City of Manchester, is now open to local landlords who are interested in participating in the Section 8 Voucher Program.
MHRA is offering up to $3,000 per housing unit and up to $10,000 for each residential property to be used in the repair of housing units to comply with Housing Quality Standards, making them eligible as rental units for Section 8 Voucher holders.
For contact infomation and additional details, please reference the program flyer found here.
ARPA Small Business Grant Program Now Open
The City is pleased to launch its Small Business Grant & Program Assistance (SBGPA), which is designed to help Manchester’s small business owners recover from the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this initiative, the City will distribute funds to assist with fixed business costs (i.e., rent, utilities, payroll, etc.) accrued on or after March 3, 2021, transitioning to e-commerce business platforms, outdoor space upgrades, and other technical assistance needs.
Applicants who meet the program eligibility criteria may be awarded up to $10,000 to advance their small business recovery proposals. Please APPLY HERE to access the Small Business Grant Program Guidelines and Application Form.
Completed applications can be emailed to PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov, with the subject line “SBGPA Application”, or mailed to: City of Manchester, Planning and Community Development, Attn: SBGPA Application, 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling "first come, first served" basis.
Community Event and Activation Grant Program
The Community Event and Activation Grant (CEAG) program aims to help Manchester recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing grants for community events and projects.
Applicants can apply for $10,000* per grant for community-based projects and events contributing to community health and safety, economic development, and tourism. All applicants are required to provide a minimum 25% match for each project that can be made up of private funding, in-kind donations, and/or volunteer hours.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for the fourth round of funding were due September 30th, 2023. Please email staff at PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov with questions.
*At the discretion of the BMA