Deadline nears to apply for ARPA funding through Richland County

October 12, 2022

Applications must be complete to be considered for available grant dollars

Organizations in Richland County impacted by COVID-19 have until this Friday, Oct. 14 to apply for emergency federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The County is making $16 million in ARPA funding available to help small businesses, nonprofits and other organizations impacted by the pandemic. Eligible organizations can apply for the funds online via ZoomGrants: https://bit.ly/rc-arpagrant. Only completed applications will be considered.

Applicants may apply in up to three of the following categories, listed with their amount of funding available. A separate application is required for each category:

  • Affordable housing – $4 million
  • Addressing food insecurity – $2 million
  • Broadband services in underserved areas – $2 million
  • Services for unhoused people – $2 million
  • Education assistance – $1 million
  • Home repairs for seniors – $1 million
  • Nonprofits – $1 million
  • Small businesses (501(c) certificate not required) – $1 million
  • Workforce training – $1 million
  • Youth and recreational services – $1 million

Richland County has developed a list of helpful tips to assist organizations looking to apply. Find that information, along with other links to help with the ARPA process, at https://bit.ly/rc-arpagrants.

Third-party vendor Guidehouse (formerly known as Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC) will review all applications to ensure projects qualify for funding. In September, County officials partnered with Guidehouse for a series of informational sessions on ARPA funding.

Find all four of those sessions on the County’s YouTube page by navigating to the “ARPA Grant Applicant Info Sessions 2022” playlist: www.youtube.com/user/richlandonline/playlists.

For technical assistance with applications, call 803-576-1355 or 803-576-5459. Learn more about ARPA on the County’s website: www.richlandonline.com/arpafunding.