Public Process

County Process for Administering ARPA Funds

1. Identify County needs - May/June 2021
   • Cumberland County staff will perform an audit of losses to Cumberland County 
   • County staff will identify further response measures necessary to the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Identify short term qualified regional needs and issues - Summer/Fall 2021
   • Open public comment through County web site
   • Meetings with municipal leadership, state legislators
   • Meetings with industry experts and service providers
   • Meetings with Maine State department leadership
   • Public meeting(s) for comment to County Commissioners
   • Release pre-application for competitive funds
   • Assemble volunteer committee to review applications
   • Invite qualified pre-application filers to complete full application
3. Begin distribution of award funding - Winter 2021/2022
   • Review panel scores applications, makes funding recommendation with support from County staff.
   • First round of competitive funds released
4. Identify medium-long term regional needs and issues - Ongoing
   • Continue to seek input from stakeholders on further investment
   • Continue to seek public comment through web portal
   • Continue to update and seek input from County Commissioners in public meetings
   • Complete future rounds of competitive funding