Cheney receives ARPA Grant

CHENEY – The city of Cheney is the recipient of a $3.49 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. The government funding intends to help communities of all sizes across the country get back on their feet following the economic devastation left in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ARPA fund provides relief for cities, towns, and communities in the United States through State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF). Communities with over 50,000 people receive direct funding. Smaller communities, considered non-entitlement units, receive their funds through the state government.

“Most cities are using their SLRF funds on infrastructure,” Cheney City Administrator Mark Schuller said. “Why? Because infrastructure projects are getting infinitely more expensive every year—you don’t get as much from your money as you used to.”

The city of Cheney has identified several infrastructure projects based on seven SLRF spending categories; public health, negative economic impacts, services to disproportionately impacted communities, premium pay, infrastructure, revenue replacement and administrative.

To date, the city has earmarked a total of $483,399 for infrastructure projects, including $87,399 for utility assistance, $30,000 for sewage leak detection, $300,000 for a new street sweeper, $18,400 for mobile work orders, $17,800 to secure the website Click to Gov, a utility billing portal, and $30,000 for the vaccination subsidy.

The city is looking to use the remaining $291,797 to replace old pipes in Cheney’s water system, fix security fencing, repair a reservoir cover, and replace old motor control units in many of the city’s wells.

“Investing this money into infrastructure reduces the pressure to raise utility rates,” Schuller said.

The grant money is a one-time payment received in two-lump sums. According to Schuller, all funds must be accounted for and spent by December 31, 2024, or be repaid by December 31, 2026.

The SLRF lays out guidelines to ensure the city uses the money it is intended for and stipulates it becomes a matter of public record. Cheney’s first project and expenditure report are due by April 30. Reports are due annually after that.