American Rescue Plan
MBEP’s board of directors has created an ad hoc committee to explore ways to encourage county and city leaders who are receiving an unprecedented amount of capital from federal stimulus funds to make the most impactful investments in the economic recovery of the region. Our goal is to ensure maximum impact and an inclusive recovery for our region from the $280M in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds coming to our region. This is an incredible opportunity to line up regional, state, and federal resources that if organized properly, could leverage this $280M into $1B. Working together now also lays the groundwork for potential future funding allotments for infrastructure expansion, climate change adaptation, and economic growth.
American Rescue Plan Fund Distribution by Jurisdiction for Monterey Bay Region:
Monterey County: $84.18M
Santa Cruz County: $52.99M
San Benito County: $12.18M
For an allocation list by city click here.
MBEP’s Recommended Investment Criteria
- Prioritize opportunities for at least 2:1 matching opportunity, but preferably higher leverage
- Prioritize high impact projects where a small amount of money provides a large impact (“but for” projects)
- Prioritize opportunities to address the ballooning wealth gap and inequities exacerbated by the pandemic
- Prioritize “big ideas” that would in normal circumstances not receive seed/pilot funding to get off the ground
Resources

Organizing Locally to Make Best Use of Relief Funds
OpEd by previous MBEP President & CEO, Kate Roberts

Federal Guidelines
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Will Deliver $350 Billion for State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Governments to Respond to the COVID-19 Emergency and Bring Back Jobs.

How Cities Should Get Ready for the Biden Stimulus
18-month economic recovery centers recommended to plan for and coordinate federal relief and recovery investments.
MBEP Regional Economic Summit Highlights: Embracing the Opportunities Ahead
Read the special edition of our bi-monthly regional report recapping our spring event.

Hear Watsonville City Manager, Matt Huffaker, talk about his plans for the city using recovery funds.
Past MBEP President & CEO, Kate Roberts interviewed Santa Cruz City Manager, Matt Huffaker at our 7th Annual Regional Economic Summit.