State of Louisiana Recovery Plan 

American Rescue Plan Act - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 

2021 Report 

JOHN BEL EDWARDS 

Governor 

 

JAY DARDENNE 

Commissioner of Administration
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

State of Louisiana 

2021 Recovery Plan 

Table of Contents

General Overview ........................................................................................................................... 2 

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 2 

Uses of Funds .............................................................................................................................. 3 

Promoting Equitable Outcomes .................................................................................................... 5 

Community Engagement .............................................................................................................. 6 

Labor Practices ............................................................................................................................ 6 

Use of Evidence ........................................................................................................................... 7 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ............................................................................... 7 

Project Inventory ............................................................................................................................ 7 

Project SLFRF1LA, Replenishment of UI Trust Fund .................................................................. 7 

Project SLFRF2LA, Louisiana Small Business and Nonprofit Assistance Program .................... 8 

Project SLFRF3LA, Louisiana Tourism Revival Program ................................................ 9 

Project SLFRF4LA, Louisiana Port Relief Fund ............................................................ 10 

Project SLFRF5LA, Louisiana Main Street Recovery Plan (MSRP) - Save Our 

Screens/Louisiana Loggers Relief Program ................................................................. 11 

Project SLFRF6LA, Major Events Fund ..................................................................... 11 

Project SLFRF7LA, Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (HERO) Fund......... 11 

Project SLFRF8LA, Water Sector Fund (WSF) ............................................................ 11 

Project SLFRF9LA, Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Recovery Fund ................................ 12 

Project SLFRF10LA, Construction Sub of TTF ............................................................. 13 

Project SLFRF11LA, Appropriations to the Capital Outlay Relief Fund .............................. 14 

Project SLFRF12LA, Legislative Capitol Technology Enhancement .................................. 14 

Project SLFRF13LA, Transfers to Non-entitlement Units ................................................ 14 

Performance Report ............................................................................................... .14 

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision .................................................................. 15 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

Executive Summary 

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by President Biden. 

Pursuant to Section 9901 of ARPA, Sections 602(b) and 603(b) were added to the Social Security 

Act (the Act), establishing the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local 

Fiscal Recovery Fund, which together make up the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds (SLFRF) program, as authorized by the Department of the Treasury (the Treasury). As part 

of this program, the Treasury has transferred over $3 billion to the State of Louisiana (the State) to 

provide support for the State’s response to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19. 

The Treasury has also allocated $315.5 million for distribution to non-entitlement units of local 

government (NEUs) throughout the state and transferred the first tranche of this allocation to the 

state in June 2021. 

The State’s response to the impacts of the pandemic and the allocation of the SLFRF funding was 

a focus and priority throughout the State Legislature’s 2021 Regular Legislative Session. The 

Louisiana Legislature passed Act 410 to immediately appropriate $1.6 billion of this funding to new 

state programs focused on statewide recovery efforts. The State has allocated funding to replenish 

Federal payments made to the State’s Unemployment (UI) Trust Fund, which was depleted during 

the height of the pandemic, to invest in critical water and sewer infrastructure, and to assist those 

small businesses and industries with significant negative impacts as a result of the pandemic. 

 

Contributions to UI 

15%

Aid to Small 

Business/ 

Non-profits -

5%

Water Sector Fund -

10%

Revenue Replacement

20%

Transfers to 

Nonentitlement 

Units - 5%

Unallocated

45%

Allocation of American Rescue Plan Funding

As of July 31, 2021
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Uses of Funds 

Overview 

The Act defines four general eligible uses and provides broad flexibility within these use categories 

for the recipients to best meet the needs of their communities. SLFRF Funds may be used for 

public health and economic impacts, premium pay, revenue loss, and investments in infrastructure. 

The State is currently implementing programs to distribute the first $1.6 million in SLFRF funding to 

provide relief in many of the critically impacted industries and populations throughout the state. 

Responding to the Public Health Emergency or its Negative Impacts 

An immediate impact of the pandemic was the exponential growth in unemployment rates 

nationwide. Only a few months into the pandemic, the State’s UI trust fund was depleted. The 

Federal government provided loans to states in order to provide critical assistance to workers who 

lost their jobs due to pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions. The State appropriated $490 

million of SLFRF funding, in House Bill 1 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, to repay the 

federal government for the federal unemployment insurance (UI) Title XII advances and to replenish 

the balance of the fund which was depleted by the unprecedented needs during the pandemic. 

Though the pandemic had widespread effects on all people and businesses, certain industries and 

small businesses experienced detrimental impacts due to the type of service provided, statewide 

shutdowns of businesses due to social distancing requirements, the shortage of qualified workers, 

and other industry or size related restrictions. The programs created for the distribution of SLFRF 

funding focus on those entities in the most critical need of assistance for business continuity. 

 The Nonprofit & Small Business Assistance Program, 

https://esweb.revenue.louisiana.gov/SmallBusinessAssistance/Eligibility/, will provide 

grants, of not greater than $25 thousand, to eligible nonprofits and small businesses to 

assist in the administration of COVID-19 response and relief efforts. 

 The Tourism Revival Program, https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/TourismPortal/, will 

support the efforts of state, local, and regional tourism entities to revive tourism in Louisiana 

by investing in programs focused on marketing and promoting Louisiana as a destination 

for in-state and out-of-state travel activity. 

 The Port Relief Program, https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/PortReliefProgram/, will provide 

funding to Louisiana port authorities for revenue loss and reimbursement of expenses 

related to COVID-19 and port security measures. 

 The Save Our Screens Program, https://www.treasury.la.gov/screens-loggers, will distribute 

grants, not exceeding ten thousand dollars per movie screen located in Louisiana, to eligible 

movie theater businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

 The Louisiana Loggers Relief Program, https://www.treasury.la.gov/screens-loggers, will 

provide grants, not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars per business, to eligible timber 

harvesting and timber hauling businesses impacted by COVID-19. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

 Major Events Fund will provide funding for entities within the state for the costs associated 

with attracting, hosting, and staging major events of area-wide, statewide, regional, national, 

or international prominence. 

 Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (HERO) Fund will provide for the current 

and growing needs of the nursing and allied health fields as well as to provide support and 

incentives to the healthcare fields. 

Investments in and Improvements to Water, Sewer, and Broadband 

Infrastructure

The unprecedented effects of the pandemic also include a new focus on the critical needs related 

to water and sewer infrastructure across the state. The shift in usage and new stress placed on 

certain water and sewer systems highlighted the need for clean drinking water in all communities 

and exposed weaknesses in existing sewer systems. In response, the Water Sector Fund (WSF) 

was created to fund repairs, improvements, and consolidations of water and sewer systems as well 

as repairs and improvements necessitated by storm water. 

The investment in broadband has become an even more critical need during the pandemic as 

businesses moved to remote work and schools implemented virtual education. Nearly every facet 

of everyday life has some reliance on technology and millions of Americans are without access to 

dependable internet in their homes. The state has dedicated ARPA-Capital Projects funding to a 

new grant program, Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 

program, which was created to fund broadband expansion statewide. The application period for 

the GUMBO program will begin on November 1, 2021. Additional details about this and other state 

broadband programs can be accessed via the Louisiana Division of Administration’s Broadband 

Development and Connectivity website, https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/comm/broadbanddevelopment-and-connectivity/. 

Revenue Replacement - Provision of Government Services 

ARPA-SLFRF guidance provides for the calculation of revenue loss for the State as of four 

calculation dates beginning with December 31, 2020. As of the first calculation date, the State has 

calculated a revenue loss of $1,983.71 million 

The State plans to utilize SLFRF funding to programs to address critical needs including roads and 

bridges infrastructure, capital outlay projects, and rebuilding in the underserved areas of Southwest 

Louisiana that were faced with two major hurricanes during the height of the pandemic. 

Additional State Programs under the American Rescue Plan Act 

The State created a portal for the distribution of funds to the 291 NEUs within the state. Following 

Federal guidance and FAQs released on the NEU distributions by the Treasury, the State 

announced the program to all NEUs prior to receiving funds. The State’s NEU portal collects the 

information and supporting documentation from the NEUs in order to determine eligibility. Progress 

made in this program will be announced in future reports. 

Additional programs are currently in progress or will be launched soon including Emergency Rental 

Assistance (ERA) - https://www.lastaterent.com, Capital Projects Fund programs, Homeowners’ 

Assistance Programs - https://www.lacovidhousing.com, and Broadband Infrastructure programs - 

https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/comm/broadband-development-and-connectivity. Each of these 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

programs will be funded by additional ARPA-related funding outside of the SLFRF funding. Details 

regarding program launch and progress will be reported to the Treasury periodically as required by 

each funding program. 

Promoting equitable outcomes 

Louisiana was affected early on by the COVID-19 pandemic and has consistently reported high 

concentrations of cases throughout the pandemic. A report1 by the state’s economist, Greg 

Albrecht, in July 2021, shows Louisiana’s sharp drop in economic indicator performance began in 

March 2020. Despite steadily increasing economic indicators since that time, as of July 2021, 

Louisiana remains 5.47% lower than March 2020, and lags behind both the average of southeastern 

states and the nation. 

 

                                                            

1

 Legislative Fiscal Office, Greg Albrecht, Chief Economist, July 2021 - http://lfo.louisiana.gov/files/revenue/1_RelPhillieIndicators_07_21_Covid.pdf
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

The State has allocated funds to specific needs related to recovering from the pandemic including 

targeted programs focused on those groups most significantly affected by the pandemic. As we 

establish these focused recovery programs, we are considering the specific impacts within each 

group of eligible applicants and identifying any sub-groups that may exist in order to promote the 

most equitable outcomes in each program. For instance, the replenishment of the UI Trust Fund 

aids the State in providing assistance to those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 

Another example of promoting equitable outcomes is the State’s focus on impacted industries, for 

instance, the MSRP – Save Our Screens and Louisiana Loggers Relief Programs. Louisiana’s top 

community is the forest industry with more than 15M acres of state forest, valued at 3.49B in 20182. 

The impact of COVID-19 on the industry, coupled with $1.25B in damages from Hurricanes Laura 

and Delta, were critical factors in the legislature directing the use of $10M in ARP funds as economic 

relief to the industry. Similarly, Louisiana’s movie theatres and theatres nationally have experienced 

an 80% reduction in ticket sales, or the worst sales in 40 years3. 

We have considered program specific inequities that may naturally occur and have developed 

requirements to appropriately address these identified inequities and potentially refocus the 

programs as needed. We will also extend this awareness throughout the life of the programs and 

adjust requirements as necessary. Where appropriate, we plan to track data and demographics 

that will provide the ability to report on the equity of the recovery efforts including closing gaps, 

reaching universal levels of service, or disaggregating progress by race, ethnicity, and other equity 

dimensions. 

Community Engagement 

The State’s allocation of ARPA – SLFRF funding was appropriated by the State Legislature through 

the State’s statutorily required legislative process. During this process, all planned appropriations 

are heard by legislative committees in public meetings prior to passage into law. Members of the 

public may testify before these committees to express opinions and present alternative plans for 

use of funding. The Governor and members of the Legislature engage with the citizens of the State, 

including special interest groups, as part of the Legislative appropriation process. As the programs 

are launched, the administrators of each program will remain engaged with the citizens of the State 

so that the needs of the most vulnerable citizens are appropriately addressed. 

Labor Practices 

                                                            

2

 Highlights of Louisiana Agriculture, Baton Rouge, LA: LSU Agriculture Center Communications, 2018.   3

 Sarah Whitten, This Chart Shows 2020 had a chance to break box office records, but Covid caused lowest haul in 

decades, CNBC, December 29, 2020. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

The State will include fair labor practices as the policies for ARPA infrastructure projects are 

developed. Currently, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) 

monitors federally funded construction projects over $200,000 with prevailing wage requirements 

(the Davis Bacon Act) to ensure workers in various classifications are paid correctly for work being 

performed. These construction contracts contain standard specifications that address compliance 

requirements for prevailing wage requirements. Information pertinent to compliance with Prevailing 

wages is obtained and determined by local Workforce Development Areas through surveys 

conducted throughout the state. As projects are implemented, the State will report on additional 

labor practices that are required and included in the policies.

Use of Evidence 

In determining the best use of SLFRF funding, the State considered all impacts of the pandemic in 

order to develop the best programs for the most critical needs of Louisianans. Within the project 

inventory descriptions, details regarding the evidence used to support each critical need are 

identified. 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category as of 

July 31, 2021 

Category Cumulative 

expenditures 

to date ($) 

Amount 

spent since 

last Recovery 

Plan 

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds* 490,000,000 490,000,000

Project Inventory 

As of July 31, 2021, the State has allocated over fifty percent of the SLFRF funding to the programs 

discussed within this plan and will report progress by project as funding activity begins. The projects 

currently allocated SLFRF funding are described below by expenditure category. Additional 

information including performance reporting will be included in future reports. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Project SLFRF1LA, Replenishment of UI Trust Fund - $490 million

 2.8 - Replenishment of UI Trust Fund 

 The State appropriated $490 million of SLFRF funding, in House Bill 1 of the 2021 Regular 

 Legislative Session, to repay the federal government for the federal unemployment 

 insurance (UI) Title XII advances and to replenish the balance of the fund which was 

 depleted by the unprecedented needs during the pandemic. 

Project SLFRF2LA, Louisiana Small Business and Nonprofit Assistance 

Program - $10 million 

 2.9/2.10 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)/ Aid to 

nonprofit organizations 

The Louisiana Nonprofit & Small Business Assistance Program (Louisiana Revised Statute 

(LRS) 39:100.44.2) will be administered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue (“LDR”) 

and will provide grants, of not greater than $25 thousand, to eligible nonprofits and small 

businesses to assist in the administration of COVID-19 response and relief efforts.

The acceptable uses of grant funds will depend on whether the applicant is a nonprofit or a 

small business. As part of the application process, applicants will be required to explain how 

the services and activities will assist in the COVID-19 response and relief efforts. Applicants 

should understand that these grant funds are taxpayer dollars received from the federal 

government, and strict compliance with federal law and guidelines is required. 

For nonprofits, grant funding must be used to provide aid to individuals impacted by COVID19. Priority consideration shall be given to nonprofit organizations that provide programs 

related to food, employment assistance, and education assistance. These activities and 

services must be made available to the broader community and not restricted to the 

nonprofits’ membership, congregation, or other limited groups. For churches and other 

houses of worship, there is no prohibition on religious liberties such as providing a Bible or 

other religious materials at the same time as offering these activities and services. However, 

the activities and services must be freely given and not in return for commitments to join or 

donate to a particular organization. Examples of eligible uses of grants funds include, but 

are not limited to, the following: 

• Creating tutoring or afterschool programs to address educational disparities 

exacerbated by COVID-19. 

• Creating job training programs to accelerate rehiring for unemployed workers. 

• Creating an unemployed workers assistance fund to assist with transportation to and 

from a jobsite or interview, childcare assistance, or other rehiring efforts. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

For small businesses, grant funding is available to provide workforce development activities, 

to current or prospective employees or the general public, that directly address a negative 

economic impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds must be used to 

develop Louisiana’s workforce by increasing the ability to secure and maintain gainful 

employment in light of the negative economic impacts of the pandemic. Priority will be given 

to those small businesses that can demonstrate the most impactful use of grant funds in the 

workforce development activity. These include any program, service, or activity that involves 

workforce preparation, vocational skills training, or that improves an individual’s employment 

opportunities, such as basic education, academic education, vocational, technical, or 

occupational education, job readiness training, or job search training. 

Project SLFRF3LA, Louisiana Tourism Revival Program – $77.5 million 

 2.11 - Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality

The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry in 

Louisiana were devastating. In fact, the pandemic cut visitor spending in the State by $5.3 

billion in 20204. The Tourism Revival Program was created to support the efforts of state, 

local, and regional tourism entities to revive tourism in Louisiana by investing in programs 

focused on marketing and promoting Louisiana as a destination for in-state and out-of-state 

travel activity. 

The Division of Administration (“DOA”) has established a portal into which applications for 

grants from the program shall be submitted. Notification of the establishment of this portal 

has been provided to the Louisiana Travel Association and all eligible tourism entities 

throughout the State. Grants will be awarded exclusively to official tourism commissions 

(“commissions”), convention and visitors bureaus (“bureaus”), and official destination 

marketing organizations (“organizations”) and will be based upon proof of “negative 

economic impact” incurred by the commission, bureau or organization. 

Tourism Revival grants will be awarded by DOA based upon the receipt, review and 

approval of audited financial statements for calendar years 2019 and 2020. The difference 

in revenue between the two years shall be deemed the “negative economic impact” on each 

eligible commission, bureau or organization. Grants will be awarded, on a pro rata basis, 

depending upon the total calculated impact of all applicants. Total awards for the program 

will be $60 million. 

The commissions, bureaus and organizations may spend grant funds and/or distribute grant 

funds to local and regional agencies located within their respective jurisdictional boundaries 

by investing in programs focused on marketing and promoting Louisiana as a destination 

for in-state and out-of-state travel activity. Grant recipients will be required to report on the 

                                                            

4 Louisiana Office of Tourism – Economic Impact of Visitors in Louisiana in 2020, by Tourism Economics, 

https://www.crt.state.la.us/Assets/Tourism/research/documents/2020-

2021/2020%20Louisiana%20Tourism%20Economic%20Impact%20Report%20FINAL%20REV.pdf
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

use of funds to DOA on a quarterly basis. Recipients must demonstrate that the awarded 

funds are expended, in accordance with ARPA-SLFRF, for one of the following purposes:

• to reimburse the loss of statutorily enabled revenues; 

• to market, sell, promote, communicate and engage in activities that generate 

professional meetings and other events that create financial gain for and economic 

recovery on behalf of Louisiana workers and businesses, attractions, venues and other 

hospitality related enterprises; 

• to drive economic gain that generates jobs recovery and re-creation of hospitality 

employment and to assist in efforts to provide job opportunities for and the connection 

of hospitality workers to career paths; 

• to enable the restoration of festivals, major sporting events and international air travel; 

and/or 

• to stimulate and incentivize the return of professional meetings, conferences, 

conventions, tradeshows and other gatherings. 

An additional allocation of $17.5 million in ARPA-SLFRF funds was allocated by the 

Legislature to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to support the 

Department’s recovery efforts that are geared towards the tourism and hospitality industry. 

Project SLFRF4LA, Louisiana Port Relief Fund – $50 million 

 2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries 

The Port Relief Fund was created to provide funding to Louisiana port authorities for 

revenue loss and reimbursement of expenses related to COVID-19 and port security 

measures. 

The Division of Administration (“DOA”) has established a portal into which applications for 

grants from the Program shall be submitted. A pro rata share of the funds will be allocated 

and distributed to each port authority that qualifies for an award. In order to qualify for an 

award, port authorities must have had a physical and active operation in Louisiana as of 

March 1, 2020 and must have experienced a loss of gross revenue for the period of March 

1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. 

Revenue loss is indicative of a negative impact of the pandemic on the industry. Applicants 

will provide proof of actual revenue for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, as well as 2021, if 

available. Upon the receipt, review, and approval of proof of revenue (financial statements 

or equivalent), awards will be calculated using the applicant’s pro rata share of the program 

funding based on the entity’s revenue loss. Reimbursement of port security expenses will 

be verified and awarded following the receipt, review, and approval of invoices and proof 

of payment. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

Project SLFRF5LA, Louisiana Main Street Recovery Plan (MSRP) - Save Our 

Screens/Louisiana Loggers Relief Program – $14.5 million 

 2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries 

The Save Our Screens Program will distribute grants, not exceeding ten thousand dollars 

per movie screen located in Louisiana, to eligible movie theater businesses impacted by 

COVID-19. The Louisiana Loggers Relief Program will provide grants, not exceeding $25 

thousand dollars per business, to eligible timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses 

impacted by COVID-19. 

To implement the programs directed by the Louisiana Legislature, the Louisiana 

Department of Treasury partnered with the Louisiana Forestry Association, the Louisiana 

Logging Association, and Theatre Owners of Mid-America to identify eligible applicants, 

hold webinars, and coordinate outreach activities. The application portal for both programs 

will be available on September 10, 2021, and by law will cease making awards on January 

30, 2022. The link to the portal can be found on the Louisiana Department of Treasury 

website: https://www.treasury.la.gov/ under the heading “Screens/Loggers.” 

Project SLFRF6LA, Major Events Fund – $10 million 

 2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries

The Major Events Fund was established to provide funding for entities within the state for 

the costs associated with attracting, hosting, and staging major events of area-wide, 

statewide, regional, national, or international prominence. No additional information is 

available on this program at this time. 

Project SLFRF7LA, Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity 

(HERO) Fund – $5 million 

 2.13 Other Economic Support 

The HERO Fund was created to meet the current and growing needs of the nursing and 

allied health fields as well as to provide support and incentives to these healthcare field. 

Additional information will be provided in future reports. 

Project SLFRF8LA, Water Sector Fund (WSF) - $300 million 

 5.1 – 5.15 Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure 

The Water Sector Fund (WSF) was created to fund repairs, improvements, and 

consolidations of water and sewer systems as well as repairs and improvements 

necessitated by storm water. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

DOA has established a portal into which applications for grants from the Program shall be 

submitted. The applications will be reviewed by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) 

and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) based on documentation submitted 

and data available to the reviewing agency. Louisiana Office of Community Development – 

Local Government Assistance and Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control will 

review scores submitted by LDH and DEQ and develop funding recommendations for 

submittal to the Water Sector Commission. A maximum of $5 million will be allowed per 

application except for projects involving a consolidation of systems which can aggregate 

based on a $5 million cap for each system involved in the project. An exception to the cap 

may be granted if approved by the Water Sector Commission and Joint Legislative 

Committee on the Budget. 

The following are types of projects that are eligible under this program: 

• Improvements to enable systems to comply with drinking water regulations. 

• Infrastructure capital improvements, including the installation and replacement of failing 

treatment and distribution systems. 

• Consolidation of existing drinking water systems. 

• Construct, improve, and repair wastewater treatment plants. 

• Control non-point sources of pollution. 

• Improve resilience of infrastructure to severe weather events. 

• Create green infrastructure. 

• Protect waterbodies from pollution. 

• Storm water repairs and improvements. 

Ineligible activities include development of new systems for new housing construction or 

developments, improvements to eligible water/sewer systems owned by federal agencies, 

improvements to eligible water/sewer systems to foster growth, and refinancing debt of 

eligible water/sewer systems. 

Scoring criteria for project review will be based on project severity and needs, consolidation, 

resiliency, sustainability, if the project is ready to proceed, and the amount of local cost 

share.

Project SLFRF9LA, Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Recovery Fund - $30 

million 

 6.1 Provision of Government Services

The Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Recovery fund was established to assist in repairing 

structural damages caused by the 2020 hurricane season in Southwest Louisiana and was 

allocated $30 million of ARPA-SLFRF funding. Act 119 of the 2021 Regular Legislative 

Session (HB 1) directed disbursement of the $30 million in ARPA funds, pursuant to 

Schedule 20-945 (State Aid To Local Government entities), to twelve (12) recipients. The 

State Treasury has reached out to the 12 recipient entities via e-mail to notify them of the 

pending release of funds. Each recipient will be required to sign a Cooperative Endeavor 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 13

Agreement (CEA) and agree to comply with the program and expenditure reporting 

requirements for the use of the appropriation. 

These recipients will provide written quarterly Progress Reports outlining the resources, 

initiatives, activities, services and performance consistent with the provisions, goals and 

objectives of the CEA and quarterly Cost Reports outlining the use of the appropriated 

funds. Adequate supporting documentation (including copies of invoices, checks and other 

appropriate records reflecting expenses incurred) will be required to be attached to the 

reports when submitted. All original documentation supporting the reports shall be 

maintained by the entities and shall be subject to audit. 

Project SLFRF10LA, Construction Sub of TTF – $563 million 

 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

A critical need in the state is roads and bridges infrastructure. With the decreases in revenue 

that were caused by the pandemic, less state funding was available for allocation to these 

infrastructure projects. In accordance with Treasury guidance, the State allocated SLFRF 

funding to the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund. DOTD administers 

the fund and operates with the mission to plan, design, build and sustain a safe and reliable 

multimodal transportation and infrastructure system that enhances mobility and economic 

opportunity. 

There are 2 methods to identify projects to be added to the Highway Priority Program. The 

first method is to gather and analyze data. This analysis involves the consideration of the 

condition of the road, how the road operates, safety, and the congestion on the road. The 

second method is to seek customer input from the public, state and local elected officials, 

the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), regional and local planning officials as 

well as other state and federal agencies during the legislative public hearings and year round 

through letters, emails, and meetings. 

DOTD Districts and the MPOs rank the projects based on technical analysis and customer 

input. The District then submits the suggested projects to the Project Selection Teams. The 

Project Selection Team makes the final selections based on District recommendations, 

technical analysis, customer input, available funding and the State Long Range Plan. 

Per LRS 48 Section 229.1, DOTD must consider the following 8 objectives when prioritizing 

and selecting projects: 

1. Brings the state highway system into a good state of repair and optimizes the usage 

and efficiency of existing transportation facilities. 

2. Improves safety for motorized and non-motorized highway users and communities. 

3. Supports resiliency in the transportation system, including safe evacuation of 

populations when necessitated by catastrophic events such as hurricanes and 

floods. 

4. Increases accessibility for people, goods, and services. 

5. Fosters diverse economic development and job growth, international and domestic 

commerce, and tourism. 

6. Fosters multi-modalism, promotes a variety of transportation and travel options, and 

encourages intermodal connectivity. 

7. Encourages innovation and the use of technology. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 14

8. Protects the environment, reduces emissions, and improves public health and 

quality of life. 

The selected projects are assembled into the proposed Highway Priority Program. The 

proposed Highway Priority Program is then submitted to the House and Senate 

Transportation Committees. The Joint Transportation Committee holds public hearings 

throughout the state for the Highway Priority Program and the State Transportation 

Improvement Program (STIP). The Final decision on the Highway Priority Program rests 

with the House and Senate Transportation Committees and ultimately the full Legislature. 

DOTD intends to provide budget relief to the following projects throughout the state of 

Louisiana along with an addition $30 million for the Port Priority Program and $20 million for 

rail and transit programs. 

Project SLFRF11LA, Appropriations to the Capital Outlay Relief Fund – $35 

million 

 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Capital Outlay Projects are state construction projects that are reviewed and evaluated in 

 accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions and eliminated from funding if they 

 are deemed not feasible. These projects receive appropriations of state and federal 

 funding. As SLFRF funding is allocated to these projects, additional details will be 

 included in Treasury reporting.

Project SLFRF12LA, Legislative Capitol Technology Enhancement - $15 

million 

 6.1 Provision of Government Services

All expenditures from the fund shall be used by the Budgetary Control Council to fund 

construction, improvements, maintenance, renovations, repairs, and necessary additions to 

legislative chambers/meeting rooms, and other areas of the capitol complex for audio-visual 

and technology enhancements. 

Project SLFRF13LA, Transfers to Non-entitlement Units - 1st Tranche 

 7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

The State began outreach to NEUs in May 2021. Many of the towns and villages throughout 

the state are not accustomed to the processes and procedures involved in receiving Federal 

funding. The Louisiana Office of Community Development dedicated employees to 

individualized outreach efforts ahead of the transfer of funding from the Treasury. Once 

funds were received in June 2021, the application portal was opened for all NEUs to accept 

funding and to provide budget and payment information. Distributions of funds began in the 

summer of 2021 as the State continued outreach to the remainder of the NEUs to provide 

every opportunity to each of them to accept funding before deeming these entities nonresponsive. 
State of Louisiana 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 15

Performance Report 

There is no program specific performance to report on at this time. As the programs are launched, 

most during the second half of 2021, we will track performance indicators and report on each 

program as appropriate in the 2022 Recovery Plan, and going forward. 

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision 

The Tax Offset Provision is not relevant to the State’s planned uses of SLFRF funds. There is no 

information to report.