The City of Birmingham is receiving over $140 million in federal relief through the American Rescue Plan – half now, and half in about a year. We are accepting project ideas for how to use these COVID recovery funds through June 30th at 5pm CT. City employees and community partners may submit their ideas at our website:
https://www.magiccityrecovery.com/fiscal-relief-funds
The allowable uses of these funds are determined by the U.S. Department of Treasury, detailed in their Interim Final Rule. We encourage those who wish to submit ideas to review the Interim Final Rule and Treasury’s FAQs to determine if your idea might be an allowable use. The broad categories of uses include:
Supporting the public health response to COVID-19
Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency
Serving the hardest-hit communities and families
Replacing lost public sector revenue
Providing premium pay for essential workers
Investing in water and sewer infrastructure
Investing in broadband infrastructure
The city’s priorities for these dollars are clear: seeing us through the COVID-19 health crisis, getting our workers and students back on their feet, doubling down on our commitments to neighborhood revitalization and small and Black-owned businesses, and partnering with the community on creative solutions to pressing challenges like public safety.
To date, the City of Birmingham has received 47 project idea submissions:
Over 65% of submitted ideas are focused on supporting the public health response and serving the hardest-hit communities and families.
Over 70% of projects are city-wide initiatives, while 27% are focused on specific neighborhoods.
34% of projects center on neighborhood revitalization and 23% address public safety.
These projects and additional ideas submitted by the deadline on June 30th at 5pm CT will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of city staff. Idea submitters can expect updates on the timeline for review in the coming weeks.
Visit https://www.magiccityrecovery.com/questions or email recovery@birminghamal.gov if you have questions about submitting a project idea.