City of Greensboro

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

2021 Report
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

City of Greensboro 

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents 

General Overview........................................................................................................................ 

Executive Summary.................................................................................................................. 

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

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

Community Engagement ........................................................................................................... 

Labor Practices ......................................................................................................................... 

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

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

Project Inventory......................................................................................................................... 
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

The uniquely challenging situation of the pandemic has critically impacted the City of 

Greensboro’s community health, social interactions, economy, and City services. Since March 

2020, the City has engaged in preparation and response to our community and its residents. 

The City seeks to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also known as State and Local 

Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), to push forward our organization toward new normal ways of 

life and service provisions, through a lens of community equity and resiliency. 

The City of Greensboro is in the early stages of reviewing and considering the eligible uses of 

ARPA funds provided by the Department of Treasury’s Interim Final Rule. This evaluation 

includes staff and leadership review of Department of Treasury’s guidance, professional 

organization resources, and negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic on the City of 

Greensboro. 

City leadership is currently in the pre-planning process for ARPA funding allocation. This 

includes the development of criteria for accessing projects and programs for eligibility. This 

criteria will include guidance from the Interim Final Rule, Greensboro City Council Priorities, and 

economic recovery needs for City departments and the community. Additionally, the City has 

been working diligently on an extensive community engagement campaign to solicit feedback 

from the community on funding priorities through an online simulation tool. The City seeks to 

use these different information sources to create a well-rounded process for accepting, vetting, 

and funding eligible projects and programs. 

The only eligible use of funds expended through July 31, 2021 are revenue replacement funds 

which were allocated to government services by assisting The Steven Tanger Center for the 

Performing Arts in the amount of $859,053.91. 
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Uses of Funds

The City seeks to utilize ARPA funds to achieve a strong recovery through the perspective of 

community equity and resiliency. At this time, the City’s planning approach will take into 

consideration several review criteria as a way to consider project and/or programs. Eligibility is 

based on multiple factors, including the Interim Final Rule, Council priorities, community input, 

and impacted services due to Covid-19. The City is considering eligible uses in all six 

categories as outlined in the Interim Final Rule, including Public Health, Negative Covid-19 

Impacts, Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities, Premium Pay, Water, Sewer, 

and Broadband Infrastructure, and Revenue Replacement. At this time, these areas of 

consideration are in the context of the criteria and public input efforts. Furthermore, strong 

consideration of the communities, qualified census tracts, industries, and organizations most 

impacted by Covid-19. City leadership has indicated that these areas will be considered as 

priority for ARPA funding.

Some of the criteria being considered include:

• The proposed project and/or program has been reviewed in a previous planning effort.

• The proposed project and/or program has been reviewed for scale and management.

• The proposed project and/or program would address a Council or resident ranked

priority.

• The proposed project and/or program has been reviewed for financial stability and

stewardship.

• The proposed project and/or program has been reviewed for the impact on sustainability

for the organization and community.

• The proposed project and/or program has been reviewed for community and

organizational equity.

• The proposed project and/or program makes an effort for collaboration and opportunities

to leverage funds with other jurisdictions or organizations.

• The proposed project and/or program is transformative for the community at large.

The only eligible use that has been expended through July 31, 2021 is $859,053.91 for the 

Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (STCPA) in the form of Revenue Replacement. 

This facility, located in downtown Greensboro, was constructed to replace the former War 

Memorial Auditorium owned and managed by the City of Greensboro. The City of Greensboro 

issued 

$43,450,000 Taxable Limited Obligation Bonds to finance their portion of the project on 

February 14, 2018. This was a public-private partnership, which had the grand opening ribbon 

cutting ceremony slated for March 20, 2020. On the same day, the Greensboro City Council 

issued a statement recommending theaters and other large venues to cease operations due to 

the increased concerns of the pandemic. The governor had declared a State of Emergency 

previously on March 10, 2020 and the City’s Mayor and Guilford County issued an Emergency 

Declaration on March 13, 2020, which included restrictions of gatherings consisting of more 

than 100 people. All scheduled performances were cancelled and had to be rebooked to a later 

date as well as preparing the facility for future event capacity in a safe, clean environment. 

The expenses captured as of March 30, 2021 through July 31, 2021 includes salaries and fringe 

benefits for STCPA staff to manage planned events, and certain expenses such as utilities to 

keep the facility maintained and ready for operations. The expected grand opening is fall 2021.
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

Promoting equitable outcomes 

Equity of service provisions and funding distribution is a top priority of the City of Greensboro. 

The City currently has an Office of Equity and Inclusion, as well as a Human Rights department 

that engage in the internal and external application of equitable practices and services to the 

community. The City defines Equity and Inclusion as the collective mixture of differences and 

similarities that includes for example, individual and organizational characteristics, values, 

beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviors. The City’s Equity and Inclusion 

mission is to create a culture that is inclusive and provides strategies and best practices for 

internal and external customers to assist with recruitment, hiring, promoting, and engaging a 

diverse, results-oriented, high-performing workforce. The Human Rights department focuses on 

mutual understanding, respect and fair treatment of all Greensboro residents without regard to 

race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or familial status.

Additionally, the City has a Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Office whose 

mission is to ensure all businesses -- including those owned by minorities and women -- are 

afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the City’s contracting processes 

for commodities, construction and other professional services. This ensures that ARPA 

programs and projects that are eventually selected are vetted and considered through a local 

lens of equity if that service is contracted to a community partner. 

The framework for the City’s approach to positively impact those most affected by Covid-19 are 

supported by these departmental resources, City Council strategic priorities, and the Interim 

Final Rule guidance on equity. In particular, the above mentioned eligibility criteria specifically 

addresses equity as a prerequisite for funding. At this time, City leadership is considering 

projects addressing a wide variety of priorities related to racial equity, engaging historically 

underserved communities, and strengthening community infrastructure disparities through 

ARPA eligible projects. These efforts will likely be measured through demographic data, 

projects benefiting qualified census tracts, and measurable goals specific to closing service 

gaps, if applicable to ARPA projects.
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Community Engagement 

The City of Greensboro has already begun to collect feedback through community engagement 

efforts, specifically as it relates to eligible uses and community priorities for spending. The City 

has established an ARPA webpage on the public website (https://www.greensboronc.gov/government/city-council/american-rescue-plan) for residents to obtain information on the 

funding, as well as providing a simulation tool for residents to suggest uses for ARPA funding 

(https://bit.ly/3D1xEgK). At this time, the simulator has received over 4,000 page views and 

over 700 submissions. Additionally, as an online tool, the simulator is able to reach more 

residents in the community than just news releases, social media posts, and in-person events 

alone, as well as provides a safer option with the continuing rise of Covid cases. For reference, 

below is a more detailed report of respondent demographic information. This further 

demonstrates the diverse composition of those engaging with the simulation tool.
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

In an effort to include the community in the process of developing a criteria for evaluating 

potential projects and programs, the City is considering a prioritization tool for residents. Once 

finalized, this criteria will be used to qualify a project or program for ARPA funding. This tool 

shares the criteria currently under consideration by City leadership and the City Council. There 

are eight areas of eligibility that are identified as either high priority or requirements under the 

Department of Treasury. Criteria under consideration with explanations is listed above under 

the section entitled “Use of Fund”. Additionally, the tool will provide a comment area for missing 

or modified criteria suggestions. 

Other public engagement efforts under consideration include community meetings, pop-ups at 

community events, and public hearings on the use of funds at regular Council meetings. These 

variety of methods will ensure a wider reach to the community, especially those that may not 

have access to online platforms. Additionally, the City will work in partnership with internal 

departments which serve residents that have outreach barriers and/or limited English 

proficiency in order to collect feedback from those communities. 

Labor Practices 

The City of Greensboro is still in the community engagement stage of the Recovery Plan. Once 

Council and management decide how to utilize the ARPA funds, labor practices will depend 

upon the nature of the project and contracting needs. The City will follow appropriate Federal, 

State, and City guidelines in soliciting vendors for services.

Use of Evidence 

At this time, City staff has not yet created a program evaluation process or developed 

performance measures to review projects. This is primarily due to the fact that the criteria 

development process is still ongoing. It is likely that the adopted criteria will provide the 

framework for performance management of projects. The City is committed to developing its 

use of evidence for all ARPA projects and will provide updates on the process when it occurs. 
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination

1.2 COVID-19 Testing

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment

1.6 Medical Expenses (including Alternative Care 

Facilities)

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

1.8 Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses 

(including Communications, Enforcement, 

Isolation/Quarantine)

1.9 Payroll Costs for Public Health, Safety, and 

Other Public Sector Staff Responding to 

COVID-19

1.10 Mental Health Services

1.11 Substance Use Services

1.12 Other Public Health Services

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs 

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers 

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention

2.6 Unemployment Benefits or Cash Assistance to 

Unemployed Workers

2.7 Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, Employment 

Supports or Incentives)

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds*

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations

2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries

2.13 Other Economic Support 

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning 

3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty 

Districts

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services 

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

3.5 Education Assistance: Other 

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care 

3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting 

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other 

3.10 Housing Support: Affordable Housing 

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance 

3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other 

3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Health Workers or Benefits Navigators 

3.15 Social Determinants of Health: Lead 

Remediation

3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Violence Interventions 

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers 

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater treatment

5.2 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater collection 

and conveyance

5.3 Clean Water: Decentralized wastewater

5.4 Clean Water: Combined sewer overflows

5.5 Clean Water: Other sewer infrastructure

5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater

5.7 Clean Water: Energy conservation

5.8 Clean Water: Water conservation
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.9 Clean Water: Nonpoint source 

5.10 Drinking water: Treatment

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

5.12 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution: 

lead remediation

5.13 Drinking water: Source

5.14 Drinking water: Storage 

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services $859,053.91 $859,053.91

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses 

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis 

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)
City of Greensboro 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Project Inventory 

Project: Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts Revenue Replacement 

Funding Amount: $859,053.91 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1, Provision of Government Services 

Project overview: 

ARPA funds expended through July 31, 2021, total $859,053.91 for the Steven Tanger Center 

for the Performing Arts in the form of Revenue Replacement. This facility, located in downtown 

Greensboro, was constructed to replace the former War Memorial Auditorium owned and 

managed by the City of Greensboro. This provision is the result of the governor’s State of 

Emergency declaration issued on March 10, 2020 and the City’s Mayor and Guilford County 

Emergency Declaration issued on March 13, 2020, which included restrictions of gatherings 

consisting of more than 100 people. All scheduled performances were cancelled and had to be 

rebooked to a later date as well as preparing the facility for future event capacity in a safe, clean 

environment.