American Rescue Plan – Status of Capital Region Funding Allocation

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As part of the latest round of stimulus funding, the American Rescue Plan provided direct funding to states, counties, and municipalities across the county. 

For New York State, there was a total of $360 billion in funding secured. Of that total, $6.14 billion was reserved for relief to metropolitan cities, $3.9 billion for counties and $825 million was reserved for smaller cities, towns, and villages. The Capital Region counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga received a combined $165 million in funding and the respective cities, towns, and villages of the region received a combined $263.16 million in funding. 

The funding can be used for a number of uses by state and local governments including Costs associated with responding to COVID-19; Support workers performing essential work during COVID-19; Cover revenue losses caused by COVID-19; Make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, according to The Capital District Regional Planning Commission. 

CDRPC is a regional planning and resource center, established pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law, serving Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.

States and local governments cannot use the stimulus funding to cover the cost of pensions or to offset a reduction in taxes.

The specific breakdown for Saratoga County in total is $74.4 million, with Saratoga County receiving $44.58 million and the municipalities receiving $29.82 million, according to CDRPC. 

Saratoga County’s municipalities saw the lowest overall allocation of the four counties. The city of Saratoga Springs saw the highest allocation with $7.7 million in funding. Clifton Park received the second most funding allocations with $3.99 million in funding followed by Halfmoon with $2.7 million. The Towns of Milton and Wilton received $2.12 million and $1.86 million, respectively. Malta, Moreau, and the Town of Ballston received $1.78, $1.7, and $1.26 million respectively.

The city of Saratoga Springs has received half its $7.7 million funding, with the balance assumed to be received next year, city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan said.