ARPA: City Assistance Programs

2021 ARPA Business & non-profit Assistance Grant Program

Grants up to $25,000 for Operating and Small Capital Expenditures

The goal of this program is to provide financial assistance for all eligible City of College Park based businesses and non-profits as allowed by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. All businesses and non-profits are invited to apply.

Provides Funding for:

Broadband Infrastructure
Equipment for local small businesses serving City of College Park
The City’s existing Business Façade and Improvement Grant
Rental Assistance
Digital Advertising/Website/e-commerce creation and maintenance
Payroll Assistance
Business Relocation & Reopening

Requirements

Completed Application – include need for funding; evidence of business disruption; how funds will be utilized in accordance with requirements; and business continuity plan
Current/valid City of College Park Non-Residential Use and Occupancy Permit
Provide documentation to prove eligibility, must include any of the following:
- Two most recent tax returns
- Most Recent Income Statement
- Current Employee Roster
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization/Formation
- Current lease or last two mortgage statements
Completed non-discrimination statement and hold-harmless agreement
Commitment to maintain funded project(s) within the City of College Park for a minimum of two (2) years
Applicants must maintain a website for their businesses and link to the City of College Park for news and information.

2021 ARPA Financial assistance program for individuals & families

Grants up to $5,000 per household

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to eligible College Park individuals and families who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Payments will be sent directly to the related vendor. Assistance for groceries will be in the form of gift cards to College Park stores.

Assistance funds are limited and payments for assistance awards will be made bi-weekly, until available funds are depleted.

In general, eligibility is determined by residency in the City of College Park and a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application form is intended to provide 1.) proof of residency, and 2.) proof of hardship/need. The description of hardship and requested assistance will help the City's review committee in determining the applicant's degree of relative need and enable us to make a fairer determination in the award of funding and determine that assistance requested fulfills the eligibility requirements.

Maximum financial assistance per household is $5,000 for eligible expenses. Only one application per household.

Requirements

Completed application form with required documentation
Proof of residency may be established through any two* of the following:
- Signed copy of a deed, mortgage, or lease agreement
- Utility bill with applicant's name and address, issued within the last 60 days
- Bank statement issued within the last 60 days
- Current, valid insurance policy
- Recent voter registration card
- Government benefits statement
Proof of hardship (please include any and all documentation you have):
- Confirmation of rent, mortgage, utility, or medical (including mental health services) amount billed on letterhead from the interested party (a copy of the bill will suffice if it shows the amount billed)
- Letter or documentation from (former) employer
- Signed statement pertaining to COVID-19 impact or non-essential status for 1099 (contract) workers or self-employed individuals
- 2019 and/or 2020 tax return(s) as filed with the IRS
- Documentation of acceptance under other government financial aid program
- Proof of unemployment benefits or application
- Letter of furlough or layoff from employer
- Receipt of SNAP/TANF benefits
- Receipt of Social Security income
- Medicaid
- Residing in subsidized housing
- Family eligible for free/reduced lunch at schools
W-9 form will be required for assistance awards to be issued

*The City reserves the right to request additional documentation if deemed necessary

ARPA Mental Health Funds

The City has established programs to assist businesses, nonprofits, and residents address the negative financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) has provided funds that the City is using for these and many other projects. Did you know that ARPA funds can be used to pay for mental health services?

College Park residents may be reimbursed for up to $5,000 for mental health services received OR invoices may be paid directly to service providers. Find details and the application here.

Have questions? Email ARPA@collegeparkmd.gov.

The goal of the program is to provide grants up to $500,000 to businesses that primarily operate in the tourism, travel, and/or hospitality industry sectors (NAICS codes 5615 and 7).

Grants are designed to encourage investment and job creation in College Park.

Eligibility

Business must successfully demonstrate a majority of their business operations are in the tourism, travel, and/or hospitality industry sector.
Priority will go to entities that are classified as small businesses and businesses that have not received other forms of economic assistance from College Park
City of College Park property taxes and other City bills and/or obligations are not eligible grant expenses
Vape, liquor, and tobacco businesses, or other age-restricted businesses, are ineligible, as applicable by law
Entities that are owned or operated by City elected official are not eligible

Requirements

Current and valid City of College Park Non-Residential Use and Occupancy Permit
Documentation to prove eligibility, including:
- Two most recent tax returns
- Most Recent Income Statement
- Current Employee Roster
- Articles of Incorporation, Organization, and/or Formation
- Current lease or last two mortgage statements
Gross recipients for 2019, 2020, and 2021, if applicable
Completed non-discrimination statement and hold-harmless agreement
Commitment to maintain funded project(s) within the City of College Park for a minimum of two (2) years
Grant Awardees shall commit to keep business and ownership in the City of College Park for an additional 1-year period per each $100k grant amount. City. City of College Park will monitor projects to ensure that commitments are met.

Business & Non-Profit assistance programs »»»»

2021 ARPA Business & non-profit Assistance Grant Program

resident ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS »»»»

2021 ARPA Financial assistance program for individuals & families

ARPA Mental Health Funds

2022 ARPA College Park Based Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality Business Grant Program »»»»

other city arpa grants & Uses »»»»

Additional Funding for businesses

Community forum on uses of arpa funding