This past Monday, the board for the two-county Sinclair Water Authority (SWA) approved a try for some funding from a third, and limited, round of assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Aimed at disruptions in local governments’ finances brought on by the 2020-21 outbreaks of COVID, the first “local round” of assistance went to cities and counties across the country, purely based on population.
The second “state round” was competitive and aimed at infrastructure needs. The Eatonton-Putnam Water and Sewer Authority, which distributes water it buys from the Sinclair authority, was approved last month for half of its $6-million project list.
This third round of ARPA has a much tighter target and a much tighter application window. Submitted projects must be aimed at provided drinking water in areas experiencing proven or projected population growth. The application period runs three weeks ending Sept. 9, ESG Engineering’s Charlie Bridges explained.
For an entity now operating 20 hours a day and full of pipes, pumps, valves, meters, and other heavy equipment like baffles, a fifth “train” and even a back-up generator hauled around on a flat-bed trailer are among the items hoped to be funded.
A “skin-in-the-game” local match is not required; however, it still may be used in scoring the application. The board said it could provide $400,000 to get $1 million in ARPA funds, if the application is successful.