Recovery and Investment for a Stronger Economy

American Rescue Plan Act

ARPA Overview

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law. The $1.9 trillion Fiscal Recovery Funds package is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health and economic impacts. Of the entire $1.9 trillion bill, $350 billion was allocated to State and Local governments to enable them to address strategic economic and infrastructure investments and address governmental budget shortfalls. Cherry Hill Township has received a total of $11.36 million to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts.

Mission/Guiding Principles

The mission of Cherry Hill Township, through its RISE program, is to provide residents, organizations, and community stakeholders with the resources and infrastructure necessary to recover, rebuild, and reinvest in our shared economic future in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This goal is underpinned by a foundational commitment to both equity and inclusive prosperity. This mission will begin by investing in aging and critical wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that serves all residents of Cherry Hill Township.  Investments will also be made in the Township’s existing small businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies that continue to support the residents of Cherry Hill by providing access to a diverse collection of social and economic programs, but have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, impeding their ability to keep operations running. This mission statement is accompanied by six (6) guiding principles:

1. Recovery: Use funds to guide the community, small businesses, nonprofits, and local government out of the economic downturn and onto a path of financial recovery.
2. Response: Enhance community health response programs and initiatives.
3. Alignment: Integrate ARPA Funds with long-term financial strategies and comprehensive economic development planning.  
4. Sustainability: Avoid one-time items and programs that incur unsustainable operational, maintenance, or other long-term legacy costs.
5. Leverage: Evaluate large water/wastewater infrastructure needs for a safer, healthier community.
6. Transparency: Accountability, communication, and collaboration.

Cherry Hill RISE Allocation Plan

The Township’s RISE allocation plan was developed according to the Township’s mission statement and includes funding allocations to four (4) primary categories:

• Social Services – Funding for programs and projects designed to support the most vulnerable or most impacted by the Pandemic.
• Local Economy and Non-Profit Recovery – Grant funding availability to support small business, non-profits, and other impacted industries and entities throughout the Township.
• Infrastructure and Capital Investments – Funding to support critical wastewater and stormwater projects throughout the community.
• Mitigation and Prevention – Funding to support projects and expenditures designed to help mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on the allocation, please click here for access to the community presentation given on October 11^th, 2022, summarizing the RISE allocation plan. 

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Projects

The Township has identified eight (8) critical infrastructure and capital investment programs to be funded through its RISE program.  These projects include the following wastewater and stormwater projects that serve the broader Township community and are in need of critical repairs, as well as affordable housing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) purchases. 

1. Community Center HVAC Project
2. Erlton Pump Station Elimination Project
3. Wexford and Fox Hollow Emergency Pump Installation
4. Kingston Box Culvert
5. Point of Woods and Cherry Valley Pump Station Grinder Pumps
6. 3 Oaks, Brandywoods, Coles Avenue, Haddontowne and Surrey Place Emergency Pump Installations
7. Personal Protective Equipment Purchases

For more information regarding each capital project, please click here.

Community Grant Programs Available 

A RISE Recovery Round II Grant will be available starting October 16th, 2023, for eligible nonprofit, swim clubs, and veteran-owned small businesses. These grants are intended to help support these organizations that have faced economic hardship resulting from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency.  The grants will assist them in recovering from these impacts, so they may continue to provide ongoing services effectively and efficiently to the Cherry Hill community. 

Additionally, the Township will also be opening a Reinvestment Subrecipient Grant program on October 16th, 2023, made available to fund eligible programs that focus on Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Food Insecurity, Special Needs/ADA, and Childcare/After School activities that serve residents of Cherry Hill. These subrecipient awards will be provided to eligible organizations that can (1) identify a COVID-19 public health or economic impact on an individual or class (i.e., a group) and (2) design a program that responds to that impact. Responses or programs should be related and reasonably proportional to the harm identified and reasonably designed to benefit those impacted.

Recovery II

For more information regarding the RECOVERY Round II programs, guidelines, and requirements, please click here.

Reinvestment

For more information regarding the REINVESTMENT programs, guidelines, and requirements, please click here.

Community Grant Timelines

Recovery Round II Grant Program - The Timeline for the Recovery Round II Grant Funding opportunity is as follows:

• Applications Open – October 16th, 2023
•  Applications Close – November 17th, 2023 at 5PM EST
• Application Review Period – November 2023 through February 2024

Reinvestment Grant Program - The Timeline for the Reinvestment Grant Funding opportunity is as follows:

• Applications Open – October 16th, 2023
• Applications Close – November 30th, 2023 at 5PM EST
• Application Review Period – December 2023 through February 2024

Informational Sessions

Recovery Round II Grant Program - The Township will offer technical grant application assistance for the Recovery Round II grant applicants as requested through the RISE@chnj.gov email address.  Applicants requesting assistance should send an email with their questions or request for assistance, and a grant reviewer will respond and assist with 3-5 business days.

Reinvestment Grant Program - The Township hosted a virtual informational session to answer questions pertaining to the Reinvestment grant program and application process on October 25th, 2023, starting at 6:30PM.  I link to the recording and presentation are below:

• Recording - Reinvestment Information Session
• Presentation - Reinvestment Information Session (PDF)

More Information

If you have questions about Cherry Hill Township’s RISE program, you can email questions to RISE@chnj.gov or you can call (856) 910-9686.  A team member will respond within five (5) business days.