American Rescue Plan Act

An improvement program for New Bedford's commercial areas is getting a $1.5 million cash injection in the city's first investment of federal ARPA COVID relief funds approved by the city council on Thursday.

The second round of funding for the city was announced by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Advisory Panel and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan.

New Bedford will gain more than $80 million in federal ARPA funding — and on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Jon Mitchell revealed how he plans to spend it.

New Bedford has no business accepting taxpayer money for any non-COVID-related projects under the American Rescue Plan Act. Give the money back to taxpayers.