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ARPA applications closed 4/15/22
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Allowable Expenses and Activities
The ARPA grants program is intended to help communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic, as well as to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches. Projects must address one or more of the following focal areas:
- Connectivity
- Digital Equity and Inclusion
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
- Workforce Development
- Needs Arising from the Pandemic
Grant funds may be spent on:
- Accessories and supplies that are necessary to support the project
- Hardware, software, and/or technology necessary to support the project
- Consulting or contractual services
- Salaries and benefits for temporary staff (or additional hours for existing, non full-time staff) to be employed for the project
- Travel and/or training expenses related to the project for project staff
- Subscriptions and licenses within the grant period that support digital inclusion efforts
- Indirect costs
Note: Organizations applying to use funds for devices that access the Internet and/or for direct costs associated with accessing the Internet must certify CIPA compliance.
These costs are NOT allowed:
- Operational costs
- Replacement of revenue lost due to the pandemic
- Prizes or incentives
- Lobbying or political advocacy
- Fundraising
- Construction or remodeling, including the following:
- Trenching for cabling (e.g. for laying fiber)
- Permanent outdoor structures (e.g. gazebos on concrete pads)
- Permanent fixtures to the interior or exterior of buildings
Allowable items
IMLS has strict guidance on how the grant money can be spent, so we put together a list of expenses that are allowable under this grant. You are welcome to contact us to check on allowability if you have another idea.
| Allowable items for projects | |
| Copiers/printers/scanners | Wireless printing software |
| CIPA compliant computers (laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, tablets) | |
| CIPA compliant firewalls | |
| CIPA compliant hotspots | |
| CIPA compliant routers/modems | |
| CIPA compliant network boosters/extenders/wi-fi boosters on roof | |
| CIPA compliant Wi-Fi kiosks for remote use | |
| Wireless access points/mesh extenders/wi-fi extenders/repeaters | |
| LTE Antennas | |
| Satellite dishes | |
| Cabling for computers to allow for social distancing | |
| Digital readers | |
| Security cameras/security systems (for outside to monitor wi-fi accessible areas) | |
| Contactless checkout/check-in of materials | |
| Security devices for materials/technology/security gates | |
| RFID tags for materials (new, to allow touchless checkout) | |
| Self-checkout stations | |
| Material Sorters | |
| Studio/AV production equipment for online programming | |
| Meeting room equipment | Digital screens/TV |
| Projectors | |
| Microphones (stand, wireless) / voice amplifiers | |
| Speakers for PA system | |
| Virtual programming software, cameras, mics, etc. | |
| Virtual meeting/conferencing software, podcasting equipment | |
| Virtual scheduling software (programs, curbside, computer use, etc.) | |
| Smart boards | |
| Accessibility upgrades (no construction allowed) | |
| Digital Content: | Subscriptions for period of performance (direct relation to project) |
| eBooks, downloadable audiobooks | |
| Streaming video | |
| Online magazines | |
| Mobile Digital Lab | Outreach vehicles, bookmobiles (partial funding OK, must be project specific) |
| Vehicles such as busses, vans (partial funding OK, must be project specific) | |
| Book bikes | |
| CIPA compliant portable router | |
| CIPA compliant computers | |
| CIPA compliant network boosters/extenders | |
| Workforce Development | Dedicated space for social worker/employment specialist/etc. (Can purchase cubical type of walls, desks, chairs, computers, but no construction of permanent walls) |
| Pandemic Relief | Plexiglass shields / Transaction Screens |
| Hand Sanitizer stands, sanitizer | |
| PPE (gloves, masks, cleaning materials, etc.) | |
| Furniture to provide barriers/distance (furniture must be approved prior) | |
| HVAC upgrades (would have to meet no construction mandate) | |
| Assessments | Library Space |
| Technology (status and needs) | |
| (consultant fees) | Internal network: wireless access points, wi-fi boosters |
| Bringing fiber to the library | |
| Outdoor spaces | Pergola (can purchase pergola but can’t install) |
| Outdoor furniture, security cameras (only if specifically related to grant project) | |
| Outdoor heaters | |
| including Wi-Fi access | Solar umbrellas |
| Outdoor charging benches for devices/computers (could be solar) | |
| Story Walks books & posts (no installation) | |
| Other | Technical support and/or training for the ARPA sponsored project |
| Secure lockers for outside/remote pickup of materials, after hours | |
| Lockers for permanent hotspot/computer/device storage | |
| Un-upholstered furniture (must be part of a specific project to be allowable) | |
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This is not meant to be an exhaustive list |
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