Alexandria will receive about $59.4 million from the federal American Rescue Plan stimulus package, according to a news release.

The $1.9 trillion ARP, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, was signed into law by Congress on March 11, to help communities across the country with economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alexandria will receive the funds in two allotments in May 2021 and May 2022, and the funds can be used between March 3, 2021 and Dec. 3, 2024, according to the release.

“The assistance from the American Rescue Plan will help our residents and business community in many ways over the coming years and will certainly expedite our recovery after the devastating economic and personal impacts of the last year,” Mayor Justin Wilson said in the release.

“We will continue to persevere together, and this aid will help to see us through to the other side of this global pandemic.”

The law states that the city can use the funds only for specific uses. The city is permitted to use the funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts; to fund government services that may have experienced a reduction in revenue; and to make in-vestments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure. Additional future regulations may also impact the use of the funds, according to the release.

Alexandria City Public Schools and city programs, including public health initiatives, K-12 education and public transit, could receive additional ARP funding through state or grant programs, according to the release.

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Visit Alexandria and the city will also seek community feedback about developing plans for the ARP funds. City staff will present the process for developing a plan and timeline for using the funds to City Council during the March 23 legislative meeting.

-ahageman@alextimes.com