WALLINGFORD — The town will soon be accepting applications for the federal funds it received to try to make up for the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The town received $13 million under the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA that can be appropriated to both public and private projects, and hired a consultant to aid in that process, Mayor William Dickinson Jr. said. "The consultant will advise us on the regulations and what kinds of of things will be eligible for the money," he said.
Half of the money, or $6.5 million, has been earmarked for businesses with fewer than 25 employees and non-profit organizations. The maximum award will be $25,000.
The committee formed to accept applications and award the funds will hold its first meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting can be accessed using the link https://tinyurl.com/277a9v29 with meeting ID: 849 3796 7367 and passcode: 439528.
It is also available via phone for audio only by calling 646-558-8656 and using the same meeting ID and passcode.
The 10-member committee formed in July, with each of the nine members of the Town Council nominating one committee member and Dickinson choosing the 10th. Committee members are Christopher Regan, Carl Bonamico, Amy Walsh, Bob Gross, Jesse Reynolds, Mike Brodinsky, Mike Glidden, Jacqueline McNamee, Robert Fritz and Councilor Craig Fishbein, who nominated himself to serve on the panel.
The town's consultant, UHY Advisors, will be holding training sessions for the members, Dickinson said, that will include information on what kinds of projects will be eligible for the funds as required by the federal government.
Applications will soon be available online and at Town Hall, Dickinson said.
Applications will be due in October and the money is expected to be awarded in December, he said.
kramunni@record-journal.com