The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA, provides financial relief to state and local governments as a response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021. 

For a complete overview of ARPA, visit Congress.gov

As a direct recipient of ARPA funds, the Town of Dumfries has allocated these resources to invest in community assets that bring new programs and services that support residents beyond recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Property Acquisition

The Town acquired the "Triangle Rescue Squad" site, transforming the dilapidated property into a strong, healthy community asset. The building will be used to host community events and recreational programs. The site's green space connects to the adjacent Ginn Memorial Park and will be used for Farmer's Market and community garden activities. Additionally, the site is home to strategically placed infrastructure that supports the local public Wi-Fi network.

Broadband Network Infrastructure

Due to COVID-19, business socio-cultural norms have changed. To successfully emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, communities and organizations had to adapt to digitizing private and public services. To ensure all residents and businesses can thrive in a new digital economy Town of Dumfries invested in a new publicly owned broadband network. A reliable connection ensures young scholars will complete homework assignments and create effective work environments for dedicated professionals.

The $600,000 investment in broadband network infrastructure includes the cost of materials and implementation. The network will be utilized to increase the number of connected electronic devices and facilitate free digital training and resources to close gaps in digital literacy skills.