On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Treasury released guidance on the State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). The bill includes $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to every county in America, as well as other crucial investments in local communities. 

Additionally, the U.S. Treasury opened the new portal that counties must complete to receive Fiscal Recovery Funds. Since the ARP was signed into law, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has been supporting the U.S. Treasury’s efforts to successfully implement the Recovery Fund.  Included in the guidance is the flexibility to use Recovery Funds to invest in broadband infrastructure, services and programs to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including capital investments in public facilities, investments in housing and neighborhoods and other guidance counties advocated for.  Courts are encouraged to work with their county and state governments on potential opportunities to access recovery funds.