On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This law set up the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Fiscal Recovery Fund or FRF). $20 billion have been assigned for all 574 federally recognized Tribes.
This funding can be used for:
- Supporting urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
- Replacing lost revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs
- Supporting immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses
- Addressing systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequitable impact of the pandemic on our community
The Fiscal Recovery Fund allows each Tribe to address the needs in their own community to support households, small businesses, significantly impacted industries, essential workers, and to make necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury decided how the $20 billion would be split between the Tribes:
- $1 billion split equally amongst all federally recognized Tribes
- Use an equation to split the remaining $19 billion between all federal recognized Tribes:
- 65% of the $19 billion is based upon population
- 35% of the $19 billion is based upon employment
The Fiscal Recovery Funds are sent in two deposits. The first deposit is the Oneida Nation’s portion of the $1 billion and the Nation’s portion of the $19 billion based on population. The Nation received this first deposit of $82,113,228.55 on May 19, 2021.
The second deposit has not been received. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has yet to release details on how to submit our employment information. We do not know when the second deposit will be made or how much the deposit will be.
The Fiscal Recovery Funds are the single largest investment in Indian Country in decades. The Oneida Business Committee (OBC) has taken the time to assess community need and organizational gaps. Throughout the pandemic, it became very clear what services and programs were necessary to ensure we can provide our community with income stabilization, housing, food, childcare, healthcare, technology, education, and employment.
To create the spending plan for the Fiscal Recovery Funds, the OBC reviewed and considered:
- the tribal contribution that will be allocated in the fiscal year 2022 budget;
- input received from the community and the workforce;
- new and additional federal and state programs/grants;
- other opportunities in ARPA for things like broadband, facility construction/rehabilitation, & healthcare;
- the potential federal audit;
- our ability to comply with the requirements of the law and the guidance given by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, the OBC adopted the Fiscal Recovery Fund spending plan by resolution, BC Resolution 06-09-21-B. Below is a summary of the spending plan. Please note: Project means a short-term service using Fiscal Recovery Fund. Programming means on-going services that are funded using tribal contribution.
| % of Total FRF Received | Proposed Use | Examples of possible projects |
| 45% | Direct Membership Assistance Programs | Pandemic Relief Assistance payments, home repair assistance, food and health assistance, home rental assistance, vaccination incentives |
| 16.67% | Affordable Housing | Construction of housing (apartments, homes, etc.) for all income levels
|
| 11.67% | Food and Agriculture | Sustainable food system, cash cropping, processing center, improve existing structures, further explore hemp |
| 9.67% | Culture & Language | Expand programming, support the language immersion program, and provide resources to expand educational opportunities in the community, schools, homes and across the organization |
| 6.67% | Education | Focus on increasing post high school education opportunities and allow for duplicate degrees, certifications, licenses, etc. |
| 5% | Land, Infrastructure & Sovereignty | Purchase of land and development of infrastructure (sewer, water, etc.) |
| 3.33% | Enhanced GTC Resources | Focus on improving General Tribal Council resources through use of technology to allow for greater participation |
| 2.00% | Revenue Generation | Improve tourism revenue generating opportunities, improve parks and recreation areas, and manage employee wages to meet market conditions |
Projects that align with the Proposed Uses as well as ways to gather more community input are being worked on and will be communicated on the Nation’s website social media outlets and direct mailing to the Nation’s tribal members when available.
For questions or additional information, please contact the COVID-19 Call Center at (920) 869-4481 or by email at COVID-19@oneidanation.org
