ARPA Information

In 2021, the City of New Braunfels received an allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for a total of $10,995,314. ARPA provided funds to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. In general, the SLFRF-ARPA program was created to ensure that governments have the financial resources needed to:

  • Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts,
  • Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue, and
  • Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.

As of December 31, 2024, all funding has been obligated by the City for the following eligible purposes:

  • Administration (provided by awarded contractor, Baker Tilly US, LLP): $335,998
  • Utility Assistance (administered by the McKenna Foundation): $500,000
  • Non-Profit Grant Program (9 City-awarded grants for 8 non-profit agencies): $7,334,316
  • Public Transportation (City of New Braunfels’ transit, traffic, and pedestrian mobility projects): $2,825,000

If you have questions concerning the City's SLFRF-ARPA funding, please email our Grants Coordinator. All funding must be expended by December 31, 2026; additional details regarding the City’s Non-Profit Grant Program are provided below.

City of New Braunfels' SLFRF-ARPA Grant Program

In support of residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City developed a competitive ARPA-funded grant program, requesting two rounds of applications from nonprofits and other eligible entities for participation in the City’s SLFRF-ARPA program for the period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2026.

Funding must be utilized for capital improvement and construction projects with costs greater than $100,000 and have a useful life of more than 10 years. Eligible City SLFRF-ARPA projects are required to be within the city limits of New Braunfels and directly support New Braunfels residents.

Objectives of the City’s SLFRF-ARPA grant program are as follows:

  • Responds directly and indirectly to the needs of impacted populations that experienced the greatest negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • Enhances the organization’s ability to deliver services or fulfill outstanding needs previously unmet through an expanded physical space; and/or
  • Develops new physical assets in the community that will benefit multiple populations and/or agencies; and/or
  • Leverages internal and external fundraising efforts; and/or
  • Closes a financial or fundraising gap; and/or
  • Can be developed, designed, funded, and commence construction before December 1, 2024; and
  • Can be constructed and completed by the fall of 2026.

Activities must meet a minimum of one of the following Social Determinants of Health as communicated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional information is available on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. 

  1. Economic Stability Goal: Help people earn steady incomes that allow them to meet their health needs.
  2. Education Access and Quality Goal: Increase educational opportunities and help children and adolescents do well in school. 
  3. Health Care Access and Quality Goal: Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services. 
  4. Neighborhood and Built Environment Goal: Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health and safety.
  5. Social and Community Context Goal: Increase social and community support.

As of November 12, 2024, the awarded grants are as follows:

  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County: $136,626 for facility improvements to expand counseling services for abused children and provide specialized training for multidisciplinary team members.
  • Comal County Habitat for Humanity: $207,500 for construction of affordable single-family housing.
  • New Braunfels Youth Collaborative: $1,500,000 for facility renovations to create a youth center.
  • Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc.: $1,000,000 for construction of emergency shelter for displaced and homeless youth, and transitional housing for at-risk youth.
  • Crisis Center of Comal County: $1,000,000 for construction of emergency shelter and transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation (Training Center project): $50,000 for facility improvements to develop a center for training and education of nursing personnel.
  • Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation (Outpatient Center project): $140,190 to improve a center for outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services.
  • NB Housing Partners: $2,300,000 for renovations to create emergency shelter and transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • San Antonio Food Bank: $1,000,000 for construction of affordable multi-family housing.