FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
press@baltimorecity.gov
Announcement of New StoryMap Sites Coincides with Third Anniversary of ARPA Being Signed Into Law
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, March 11, 2024) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, along with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs and the University of Baltimore, is proud to announce the launch of ARPA Impact Indicators, an interactive resource designed to provide residents with insights into the impact of the $641 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to Baltimore City.
“Today, on the third anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act becoming law, we’re seeing how this historic funding is making a tangible difference in neighborhoods all across Baltimore,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Transparency is critical to demonstrating the deep impact ARPA is having on our communities. That is why I am proud of the partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs (MORP) and the University of Baltimore to take our efforts to tell the story of the impact of ARPA in Baltimore to new heights.”
The result of a collaboration between the University of Baltimore and the Recovery Office, the ARPA Impact Indicators offers a view of Baltimore's conditions at the neighborhood level prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a series of StoryMaps, residents can explore vital indicators such as vacancy trends, housing affordability, home rehabilitation, employment levels, the digital divide, and capital investments.
"The ARPA Impact Indicators signify our commitment to transparency and accountability in the distribution and utilization of ARPA funds," said Chief Recovery Officer Shamiah Kerney. "We are thrilled to share this framework to track the impact of ARPA-funded programs and initiatives over time, particularly efforts intended to benefit our most vulnerable residents and underserved communities."
These StoryMaps are in addition to the ARPA Reporting Center, launched in February 2022, which provides comprehensive information about ARPA-funded projects, commitments, and expenditures.
"ARPA investments stand to benefit Baltimore neighborhoods for years and decades to come," said Director Amanda Phillips de Lucas, Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance – Jacob France Institute. "Recognizing that some of ARPA’s impacts will not be immediate, BNIA-JFI, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs, built the ARPA Impact Indicator tool to establish a baseline for where the City was prior to recovery funding and identifies indicators that will track our progress moving forward. Our organization will populate the tool with new data as it is released so that all residents can keep track of the effect of these projects in their communities. Our organization was founded to support Baltimore’s neighborhoods' work towards and measure positive change. We're thrilled to release a tool that supports this goal for such a historic investment."
As part of ongoing efforts to keep residents informed, the Recovery Office will continue to release additional StoryMaps in the coming months. Residents are encouraged to visit the Recovery Office website and explore the "Impact Indicators" section to access the ARPA Impact Indicators and other publicly available resources, including monthly City Council reports and quarterly reports to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Baltimore City remains steadfast in its commitment to leveraging ARPA funds to build a stronger, more resilient community for all its residents. Together, we are excited to witness ARPA's positive impact and the continued progress it brings to our City.
Please visit the ARPA Impact Indicators Website for more information.
###