This month, public entities of all sizes will have access to American Rescue Plan funds to help address the financial strains from the COVID-19 pandemic. The support of ARP funds should go a long way to help alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic on entities like yours.

It should be noted that these upcoming funds were the direct result of your voices being heard in Washington, D.C. Between the public associations—including the National Association of Counties (NACo)—the various state associations, the outreach by all of you, and three+one®’s exhaustive advocacy, the funding became a reality.

So, your voices have been heard and the funds are on their way to your entity. All good news.

Now is the time to take the next important step: Planning a liquidity strategy that will make the best use of these funds. You have here a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to maximize the short- and long-term benefits of your ARP funds in the interest of those you serve.

History will show just how well our voices were heard.