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1. How many requests were received?

The Recovery Office received 426 project submissions, totaling $1.3 billion in funding requests. As well, the Recovery Office received 157 idea submissions.

2. How was it decided what projects should get funded?

Review of the project submissions followed a three-part process. First, Recovery Office staff reviewed project and idea submissions for completeness and eligibility. Second, all eligible and complete projects were forwarded to the Pandemic Recovery Fund External Review Committee for scoring using the funding plan’s scoring rubric. The scoring rubric, which was publicly available throughout the application process, was designed to prioritize projects that both capitalized on the one-time nature of this funding, as well as advanced one of the priority issue areas as identified by the community. The scoring allowed projects to be ranked by their score, from 0 to 100.

Following the project scoring, Recovery Office staff reviewed all projects, using both the project score as well as other considerations that the scoring rubric could not take into consideration. These considerations included the served population, geographic location, transformative impact, unique approach or need, and availability of other funding.

Throughout this review process, the Recovery Office also reviewed proposed budgets and adjusted budget recommendations. For projects providing operational support or services, the Recovery Office set a standard of providing two years’ of operating support in addition to any one-time start-up costs. For capital expenditures, the Recovery Office provided acquisition costs and limited rehab or operational support. In reducing budgets in this manner, the Recovery Office was able to recommend a more diverse slate of projects, serving a higher number of communities.

3. I am recommended to receive funding. What do I do now? When will I get the funding and should I begin my project?

Please note that projects are not considered officially approved until August 18, 2022, when the County Commissioners will formally adopt the final Recovery Plan. From now until then, all applicants that have been conditionally approved for funding through the Draft Recovery Plan were directed in their approval notice to schedule an appointment with the Recovery Office staff to determine the next steps for their project. The next steps may include additional documentation collection, adjusting the project budget, timeline, or scope based on the funding award, determining a payment schedule, reviewing compliance and reporting requirements, and reviewing other questions the applicant may have. During this meeting, applicants will be able to ask more detailed questions about their project and funding award.

If an applicant needs help scheduling an appointment, please email RecoveryOffice@montgomerycountypa.gov.

4. I didn’t receive funding, will there be another round of applications? Or other funding I might receive?

At this time, all funding from this particular source (American Rescue Plan Act- State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds) has been allocated. The Recovery Office and County Management are working to connect unfunded projects with other available resources, including other county department grant processes or the capital improvement plan, other federal and state grant programs, and philanthropy. Over the coming months, the Recovery Office will reach out to applicants directly regarding their projects if other funding sources are identified.

As well, the Draft Recovery Plan includes grant programs that applicants could be eligible for, such as the Child Care center grant program, the Small and Minority-Owned Business grant program, or the Volunteer Fire Services grant program. Applicants who may be eligible for these programs have been notified in their funding decision letter, and will be contacted directly for instructions on how to receive funds for these programs.

Finally, the Recovery Office is recommending allocations for programs that will be distributed to individuals or organizations in the county. These include a school-based healthcare initiative, first time homebuyer’s program, and homeowner repair program. These programs may offer grant funds or financial payments for individuals or organizations in the community one they are implemented.

5. What will happen to any unused money if projects are not completed or do not cost as much?

The Recovery Office will be monitoring projects for their progress and expenditures. As projects progress, if costs are lower than anticipated or a project is not able to be implemented, the Recovery Office may decide to recapture funds or change the funding allocation. If those changes are to be made, the Recovery Office will communicate with the public about the changes and plan for any re-allocation of funds.

6. How will I know all these projects really happened and the impact it had on community?

The Recovery Office will begin sharing data and project outcomes with the community as projects begin. This information will be made available on the Recovery Office’s website and shared through the County’s social media and other channels.