American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds - City of Newberg

Update: As of 2/28/22 the City is no longer accepting any new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) applications based on a deadline set in place by Newberg Budget Committee.

As of the 3/30/22 Newberg Budget Committee Meeting, all ARPA funds have been distributed.

What is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)?

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill that was passed by the United States Congress in 2021. The purpose of the bill was to speed up the country's recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Newberg will receive $5.3 million in funds from ARPA. Funds may be used for a wide range of project types including infrastructure and other capital projects. Additionally, the City may distribute the funds to pass-through recipients (such as other agencies, businesses, etc.) but they must follow the same monitoring and reporting steps as the City. To learn more about ARPA in Newberg, see our summary Newberg ARPA Funds White Paper. 

How is the City Determining How We Use ARPA Funds? 

During the first ARPA budget meeting, the process was further refined from that proposed in the white paper. As a result, the Budget Committee currently considers 12 projects at a time with eight receiving funding per session. Once submitted, projects go before the Budget Committee and those with a majority vote of approval are funded. Projects from the City of Newberg are submitted through the same process as community projects. 

The City’s Economic Development Manager reviewed the business projects as they came in to ensure they met the federal guidelines and local code. Acting City Manager Will Worthey did the same for non-profit projects.

As of 2/28/22 the City is no longer accepting any new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) applications based on a deadline set in place by Newberg City Council.

What Projects Have Been Funded Through ARPA? 

The Budget Committee has voted to approve the following projects to be funded through ARPA (Updated 3/31/22):

Update: As of the 3/30/22 Newberg Budget Committee Meeting, all ARPA funds have been distributed.

• $220,000 reserved for Water Plant design work
• $16,000 for Hauling Trailer and Vehicle Signage – Orange Brothers Remodeling LLC
• $75,000 for Outdoor Seating – Old Town Bar & Grill
• $5,370 for Visitor Center – Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) 
• $63,244 for Storefront Renovations and Security – El Tala Mini Market
• $120,000 for Building Updates and Marketing – Ruddick/Wood
• $400,000 Peace Trail Village Housing – North Valley Friends/ Providence
• $44,402 for Wastewater Reclamation – Chehalem Valley Brewing
• $20,000 for Refrigeration Upgrade and Grill – Coffee Cat Coffeehouse
• $70,000 to Reduce City Fees for a New Hotel – City of Newberg
• $380,000 for Essential City Staff Member Payment – City of Newberg
• $400,000 for New City Financial Software – City of Newberg
• $350,000 for Programs to Address Homelessness – Yamhill Community Action Partnership
• $176,000 to Upgrade City Computers and Technology – City of Newberg
• $40,754 to Increase Technology Security – City of Newberg
• $24,343 to Launch a Downtown Gift Card Program – Newberg Downtown Coalition, Taste Newberg, Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce
• $280,943.30 for Air Purification Units and Replacing City Hall HVAC Units – City of Newberg
• $29,176 for Small Business Marketing Assistance - Taste Newberg/Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce/Newberg Downtown Coalition
• $250,000 for Cultural Center Performing Arts Wing - Chehalem Cultural Center
• $15,000 for Sculptural Landing Pads - Newberg Downtown Coalition 
• $400,000 for A Family Place Expansion - Lutheran Community Services
• $34,500 for Social Goods Street Seating - Social Goods
• $40,800 for Public Safety Building Bullet Resistant Windows - City of Newberg
• $1,500,000 for Water Rights Purchase - City of Newberg
• $350,000 for Harvest House Shelter Stabilization - Newberg Harvest House

Learn more about the 12/15/21 projects by clicking here.
Learn more about the 2/23/22 projects by clicking here. Learn more about the 3/30/22 projects by clicking here.

When are Budget Committee Meetings to Determine ARPA Funding? 

Previous Budget Committee Meetings

• March 30, 2022 - The Budget Committee funded 9 projects with ARPA funds.
• February 23, 2022 - The Budget Committee funded 8 projects with ARPA funds
• December 15, 2021 - The Budget Committee funded 8 projects with ARPA funds.
• September 15, 2021 - Met to discuss ARPA including possible expenditures
• August 31, 2021 - Overview of ARPA 

How Has the Community Been Involved? 

We surveyed our local business community in late 2021 to learn about their current needs and possible projects that could help. 

• Aggregate survey results and highlights
• Resumen y Destaces de los Resultados de la Encuesta de las Necesidades de los Negocios en Newberg para ARPA 

Our Economic Health Manager and Community Engagement Specialist have taken a proactive approach to community involvement and have been visiting with local businesses to learn about their needs and talk with them about the application opportunity. If you would like to learn more about the ARPA Grant Application, please email our Economic Health Manager, Shannon Buckmaster, at shannon.buckmaster@newbergoregon.gov.