The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) allows small and midsize employers, and certain governmental employers, to claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations.

On April 15, the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) unanimously voted to extend its COVID-19 temporary relief measures applying to the Working Capital Guarantee Program, the Supply Chain Financing Guarantee Program, and the agency's support for transportation-related and other large-scale exports through its Bridge/Backstop Financing Program and Pre-Delivery/Pre-Export Financing Program.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF). The American Rescue Plan established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the U.S. SBA. The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants.

States across the Southwest are preparing to leverage a new wave of federal funding for broadband expansion President Joe Biden wants to provide through his infrastructure proposal. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, access to high-speed internet is seen as a boon to rural economies, educational outreach, and online business.

On April 14, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the establishment of the Office of Recovery Programs to lead the Department's implementation of economic relief and recovery programs, including nearly $420 billion in programs from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The Federal Reserve will likely taper off its bond purchases before considering raising interest rates, according to Chairman Jerome Powell. "We will reach the time at which we will taper asset purchases when we've made substantial further progress toward our goals from last December when we announced that guidance," Powell said in a virtual event hosted by the Economic Club of Washington.

Wisconsin is setting aside $100 million to help businesses statewide recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday the investment is made possible with funds the state received under President Biden's American Rescue Plan.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act included billions of dollars in supplemental funding for human services and education programs as well as various flexibilities for the states and counties responsible for administering these programs. This brief provides an overview of steps the federal government has taken to implement these new resources and administrative changes.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: Preserving Local Economies with Energy & Water Finance
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern

CDFA Federal Financing Webinar Series: Federal Financing for Energy and Water Systems
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act included billions of dollars in supplemental funding for human services and education programs as well as various flexibilities for the states and counties responsible for administering these programs. This NACo brief provides an overview of steps the federal government has taken to implement these new resources and administrative changes.

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