Please check back frequently, both at the CCAP site and links below, for updated information.  

• The Recovery Act In Pennsylvania: A Citizen's Update was released by the Commonwealth in mid-October. The Update notes that $2.3 billion in stimulus dollars have already been spent in PA, with another $1.6 billion in the process of being spent. The Update breaks down total spending by program areas including Transportation, Health Care, Education, Workforce, Public Safety, Community and Family, Infrastructure, and Housing, Environment, and Energy. The Update then gives a summary and a breakdown of the specific reports submitted under Section 1512 of the Recovery Act.    

• There are a variety of guides to available ARRA funding. For general overview information, go to www.recovery.gov (federal government site) or www.recovery.pa.gov (commonwealth site). Generally each participating agency has web pages about their specific programs, and links to specific agencies can be found on these two sites.

• Many of the available funds have very limited time frames for application and use of funds. Counties should be vigilant to tracking deadlines for both application and use of funds.

• The federal government uses a central Web site for all discretionary funding, known as FedConnect. Counties will be required to register on this site for funding. This registration process takes up to 21 days, so counties should begin this process immediately. In order to apply, you will also need a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a Central Contractor Registry (CCR) PIN. 

o   If you need to obtain a DUNS number, go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

o   If you need to obtain a CCR PIN, go to www.ccr.gov

After obtaining both of these numbers, and if not already registered, register for FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/

• If your county will be applying for ARRA funds that have been allocated to the state for distribution, you will need to complete the state Single Application for Assistance.

• Each county may wish to designate a staff person who will be responsible for coordinating the county’s applications for ARRA funding.

• There are grants research and management subscription services such as eCivis, which can provide different levels of service, from daily updates on program guidelines and solicitations to  examples of projects that have been approved.Through a partnership with eCivis, CCAP has negotiated a special rate for Pennsylvania counties to upgrade their service. For more information, visit http://ccap.ecivis.com or email Kristin Woellmer at kwoellmer@pacounties.org.

• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stipulates accountability and transparency requirements which all participating entities must agree to comply with, including quarterly reports and complaints subject to review by the Inspector General.

• In many cases, the ARRA funds will be distributed through existing programs. This means that waiting lists will be tapped and new applications will also be considered. The net overall impact may help clear the pipeline in existing programs, so if a county has a project that is not “shovel ready” or does not otherwise meet requirements under ARRA, the county may still want to consider applications for non-ARRA funds.