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36 | HR&A AdvisorsRichmond ARPA Investment Strategy
Los Angeles County is home to over 400,000 families who do not have a reliable home internet connection. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department (ISD) designed and supported the implementation of Community Broadband Networks and Digital Navigators, both of which are solutions to broadband access, affordability, and adoption for communities impacted by the digital divide.
Community Broadband Networks are public-private partnerships to deploy new high- speed internet infrastructure and guarantee affordable internet service. ISD was awarded $56 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to implement the Community Broadband Network program and is currently partnering with a consulting firm to implement the digital navigators program.
Other cities and counties across California have set aside ARPA funding to address broadband access. The library system in Paso Robles used ARPA funding to purchase hotspots, which residents can checkout. In Santa Cruz County, funding was allocated to connect housing developments and low-income neighborhoods with free or low-cost Internet service. Around the country, municipalities have gotten creative with their ARPA funding to address broadband needs. For example, Dallas County is using ARPA funding to focus on providing residents with a minimum of 100 Mbps download and upload speeds; funding will target households and businesses without access, as well as those with low speeds.
CASE STUDIES
Richmond residents are struggling with both
broadband access and digital literacy.
According to the 2020 US Census, 90 percent of
households in Richmond have access to the internet.
However, the quality and cost of internet access can
vary widely across income groups. For families that had parents and students relying on the internet for work or school at the same time, the quality of their internet
access dipped.
Digital literacy, including accessing virtual meeting spaces, became a constraint for many residents, particularly those from older demographics. Community events, including
religious groups, met online; not being literate in
programs like Zoom limits the ability to connect with
others or participate in remote work. Many services, such as vaccination and testing appointments, required online scheduling further compounding access to care.
Emerging from the pandemic, it is essential to both
increase digital access and literacy and reinvigorate
physical spaces for connection and community. By
investing in parks, libraries, and community spaces,
residents can come together while still reaching their
families and communities online.
Access to affordable, reliable internet service is an important component of staying connected to community events, educational opportunities, and basic services.
OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
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37 | HR&A AdvisorsRichmond ARPA Investment Strategy
Alignment with
Community Needs
Needs Addressed & Beneficiaries
Alignment with ARPA
Requirements
Eligible Uses, Timing, & Suitability
Implementation Needs
Responsibility &
Approximate Cost
Provide grants to community nonprofit
organizations providing critical cultural
and supportive services to Richmond’s
communities
Richmond is a diverse city, with half of residents
speaking a language other than English; a third of
the population was born outside of the U.S.
However, the lack of culturally competent and
representative resources means that a significant
portion of the city continues to struggle accessing
information and resources.
H&E, PS
Make deployment deadline a
requirement of the NOFA
Funds for temporary or one-time
programming; no ongoing
commitment
Nonprofit organizations
TBD based on NOFA responses
Dedicate funding to commission local
artists to create public art installations
Arts and cultural institutions were among the
hardest hit industries during the early stages of
COVID and were less likely to receive Paycheck
Protection Program funding. Investment in public
art will not only support local creators, but also
provide a sense of community pride and
connection.
H&E, PS
Make deployment deadline a
requirement of the NOFA
Funds for temporary or one-time
programming; no ongoing
commitment
Arts organizations, City
TBD based on NOFA responses
Strategies
K. Expand cultural and recreational programming and public art L. Make improvements to public facilities and subsidize available programming M. Expand access to broadband
Eligible uses for ARPA funds:
• H&E – Responding to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 • PS – Replacing lost public sector revenue
• PP – Premium Pay for Eligible Workers
• WSB – Investments in Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure * indicates eligibility in Qualified Census Tracts or disproportionately impacted communities) K
K
The City can use ARPA funds to support expanded cultural programming and amenities to enhance mental health, community wellbeing, and quality of life.
OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITY | POTENTIAL INVESTMENTS
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38 | HR&A AdvisorsRichmond ARPA Investment Strategy
Alignment with
Community Needs
Needs Addressed & Beneficiaries
Alignment with ARPA
Requirements
Eligible Uses, Timing, & Suitability
Implementation Needs
Responsibility &
Approximate Cost
Make improvements to parks, open
space, community centers, libraries and
other amenities to improve safety and
utility
Richmond residents rely on their churches,
neighborhoods, and community organizations to
stay socially and economically connected, and
need events to return safely and quickly.
Improvements and upgrades to these facilities will
help connect residents who have felt socially
disconnected from their neighbors and
community or faced mental health challenges.
PS
City to confirm timing for
improvements
Funds for one-time capital
improvements; no ongoing
commitment
City
Provide additional free or subsidized
community and cultural programs
through the City’s parks, libraries, and
community centers
During the pandemic, there were significantly
fewer places to connect, contributing to mental
health challenges and feelings of isolation, as a
result of closure of day programs for the disabled,
churches and community centers, the
cancellation of large cultural celebrations and
community festivals, and the closure of ethnic
restaurants or the shift to take-out only service.
H&E (may depend on type of
programming), PS
City to confirm ability to deploy
subsidized programming
Funds for temporary programming
City
Address digital access and service
disparities by expanding broadband to
under-resourced communities
While 90 percent of households in the city of
Richmond have internet access, statewide data
shows that this access is likely not equitably
distributed across income levels. During the
listening tour, residents shared that the need for
internet service and technology added a new
expense and source of stress.
WSB, PS
City to confirm timing for
improvements
Funds for one-time improvements;
no ongoing commitment
City
K
L
M
The City can use ARPA funds to support expanded cultural programming and amenities to enhance mental health, community wellbeing, and quality of life.
OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITY | POTENTIAL INVESTMENTS
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39 | HR&A AdvisorsRichmond ARPA Investment Strategy
ARPA Expenditures
▪ The City has dedicated over $2M in
ARPA funds to make critical repairs and
improvements to community amenities,
including the main library, Nevin
community center, the recreation
center, Richmond Museum, and MLK. Jr.
Park.
C I T Y P R O G R E S S
MADE
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N
A P P R O A C H
O T H E R F U N D I N G
S O U R C E S
Dual Approach
▪ Part of the implementation approach for
culture & community involves issuing a
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) or
identifying arts and cultural service
organizations to provide expanded
programming and public arts in the near
or intermediate term.
▪ The other part relies on investing
directly into improved city services for
recreation and community amenities.
State Funding
▪ California Arts Council has several grant
programs that provide general
operating relief for arts and cultural
organizations that experienced negative
economic impacts of COVID.
▪ The California State Library has a state-
funded high-speed broadband program
that supports libraries and other
organizations with internet access.
Federal Funding
▪ The Affordable Connectivity Program
provides eligible households with a $30
monthly credit for their internet service
plan.
Nonprofit organizations played critical, central roles for many types of communities during the pandemic, but still face tight resourcing and some competition for funding.
OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITY