Ramsey County, Minnesota

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

2021 Report

Note: The Recovery Plan Performance Report will provide the public and Treasury information on the 

projects that recipients are undertaking with program funding and how they are planning to ensure 

program outcomes are achieved in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner. While this template 

includes the minimum requirements for the Recovery Plan, each recipient is encouraged to add 

information to the plan that they feel is appropriate to provide information to their constituents on efforts 

they are taking to respond to the pandemic and promote an equitable economic recovery. 

Each jurisdiction may determine the general form and content of the Recovery Plan, as long as it 

meets the reporting requirements, and recipients are encouraged to tailor this template to best meet 

their needs. Use of infographics, tables, charts, pictures, case studies, and other explanatory elements 

are encouraged.
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Notes on using this template

All States and territories, and metropolitan cities and counties with a population that exceeds 250,000 

residents that are recipients of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) awards are required to 

produce a Recovery Plan Performance Report (the “Recovery Plan”). The Recovery Plan provides 

information on the recipient’s projects and how they plan to ensure program outcomes are achieved in an 

effective and equitable manner. It will include key performance indicators identified by the recipient and 

some mandatory indicators identified by Treasury. Each annual Recovery Plan must be posted on the 

public-facing website of the recipient by or on the same date that the recipient submits the report to 

Treasury. 

The initial Recovery Plan will cover the period from the date of award to July 31, 2021 and must be 

submitted to Treasury by August 31, 2021. Thereafter, the Recovery Plan will cover a 12-month period and 

recipients will be required to submit the report to Treasury within 30 days after the end of the 12-month 

period (by July 31). 

Annual Report Period Covered Due Date

1 Award Date – July 31, 2021 August 31, 2021

2 July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 July 31, 2022

3 July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 July 31, 2023

4 July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 July 31, 2024

5 July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 July 31, 2025

6 July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 July 31, 2026

7 July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 March 31, 2027

Instructions:

This document is meant as a suggested template for applicable SLFRF recipients to assist them in 

submitting their Recovery Plan. Recipients should consult the SLFRF Guidance on Recipient 

Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities (Reporting Guidance) located at 

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Compliance-and-Reporting-Guidance.pdf for detailed 

guidance on the submission of this report.

Treasury encourages Recipients to tailor this report to best meet their needs in terms of format and 

content. Treasury recommends the use of infographics, tables, charts, pictures, case studies, and other 

explanatory elements in describing their programs.

Text in italics represents the requirements from the Reporting Guidance and is meant to serve as a 

reference as recipients prepare their Recovery Plan. This instructions page and the text in italics should 

be removed before the final transmitted report is published and submitted to Treasury. 

Additional information around Expenditure Categories is located in Appendix 1 of the Reporting 

Guidance. 

For More Information

More information about the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program and associated reporting 

requirements are located at www.treasury.gov/SLFRP .

Questions on reporting, eligible uses, or other general topics should be directed to SLFRP@treasury.gov.
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

Ramsey County

202x Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview........................................................................................................................ 3

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 3

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

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

Community Engagement...........................................................................................................5

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

Use of Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 6

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ............................................................................6

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

Example Project ....................................................................................................................... 8

Additional Projects..................................................................................................................... 8

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision ...............................................................................9
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

The initial Recovery Plan, Project Inventory and Performance Report covers the period from the 

date of award to July 31, 2021.

Ramsey County will receive a total of $108 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 

of 2021. Ramsey County will use these funds to continue supporting individuals, families and 

the economy as we combat and recover from COVID-19.

These funds give Ramsey County an opportunity to direct major investments to bold, long-term 

initiatives that will bring lasting results. At the same time, these funds will continue to support 

people in crisis and address immediate needs in the community, as well as support county 

operations whose budgets have been stretched thin by the challenges of service delivery during 

a pandemic. Thus far, the county has launched a plan to invest $2.1 million on a young adult 

workforce development initiative, Right Track Plus, and allocated $20 million dollars to plans to 

create more affordable housing.

The county is working with partners, including other local governments and community 

organizations, and engaging with community to align our approaches, ensure efficiency and 

maximize our results. Additionally, Ramsey County will pursue other sources of funding, 

including potential federal funding and build plans to leverage those funding opportunities.

Through our open data portal, and with the Treasury’s annual Recovery Plan Performance 

Report, we will post up-to-date economic impacts on our residents through our ARPA projects. 

In addition, the portal will reflect outcome goals, progress to outcomes, and challenges and 

opportunities we experience in delivering these programs. We are excited about this aspect of 

the reporting process and the opportunity to share our impact publicly.

Uses of Funds

Ramsey County’s preliminary planning principles are summarized below. Among the priorities 

included here, some initiatives are in advanced planning stages. One initiative, Right Track 

Plus, has been operationalized. More information will be added as the county finalizes its plans.

Workforce Development (Right Track Plus)

Ramsey County has launched a workforce development program, Right Track Plus, which 

provides COVID-impacted young adults, ages 18-24, with internships and professional 

development opportunities. Younger workers are over-represented in-service industries, which 

were struck hardest by restrictions on movement, activities and businesses. These impacts 

have been a critical disruption to young people who are launching what may be their first-ever 

job. Right Track Plus will help prepare young people for new careers.

Public Health Ongoing Response

In 2020, Ramsey County piloted several initiatives to ensure that diverse racial, ethnic and 

cultural communities are informed about COVID-19, county services and community resources 

during the pandemic. One such initiative is the Trusted Messenger program, which will be 

extended and expanded in 2021. The program enlists and works with community-based 

partners to share critical, up-to-date, culturally and linguistically appropriate health information 

and resources to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among communities that have been hardest 
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

hit by the pandemic. ARPA funds will be allocated to hire and train dedicated staff, finalize a 

workplan and purchase supplies. We anticipate funding up to 21 contracts. Award amounts will 

vary based upon the number of participants each sub-recipient anticipates reaching. This 

initiative will be evaluated.

Housing Supply

The lack of affordable housing is the most significant challenge to growing prosperity in our 

region. A housing crisis has been building for years across Ramsey County, the Twin Cities 

metropolitan area and in many other regions across the nation. To address a shortage of 15,000 

housing units across the county, the county will make an initial $20 million investment in 2021

and 2022 to expand the supply of affordable units. The county plans to dedicate an additional 

$17 million through 2026 once the county is in receipt of its full ARPA allocation. Additionally, 

the county will also seek to leverage federal infrastructure funds when they become available.

Racial Equity & Community Engagement

Racially and ethnically diverse communities, young people (under age 35) and people with less 

education are among those who have suffered the most during the pandemic. Ramsey County 

has prioritized racial equity and community engagement in its COVID response, to close 

disparities in health and economic outcomes. Funding will be allocated to initiatives that help 

address these disparities.

The Racial Equity and Community Engagement Response Team was formed in April 2020 to 

help inform the county's response and provide critical links between county operations and the 

residents we serve. The Equity Action Circle was formed in spring 2020 and consists of 15 

community members representing diverse backgrounds, valuable perspectives and lived 

experiences. The Racial Equity and Community Engagement Response Team and the Equity 

Action Circle work closely together to co-develop strategies and solutions in partnership with the 

county to meet the unmet needs of residents during the COVID-19 response.

The findings of the Equity Action Circle and Racial Equity and Community Engagement 

Response Team continue to inform the county’s spending priorities. The Trusted Messengers 

public health messaging program will help make information and county services and resources 

accessible to those who need them the most. The newly formed Equity Action Circle Healthcare 

Committee will lead strategies for sharing public health information with the community.

Budget Priorities

As part of the ongoing 2022-2023 budget process, Ramsey County will explore additional 

opportunities to use ARPA funds to help maintain services without raising property taxes 

beyond what the community can support during a time of crisis. These opportunities may 

include additional support to Financial Assistance Services and justice system reform, improving 

the county’s IT infrastructure, and investing in new flexible work and physical space 

arrangements.

Ramsey County does not anticipate using ARPA funds for premium pay or water, sewer or 

broadband infrastructure.

Promoting equitable outcomes 
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Racially and ethnically diverse communities are among those who have suffered the most 

during the pandemic. Already the most economically and socially vulnerable, these groups have 

borne the brunt of job losses, unstable housing, and hunger. Racially and ethnically diverse 

communities have experienced the highest rates of COVID-19 infection and illness. Ramsey 

County has prioritized racial equity and community engagement in its COVID response, to close 

disparities in health and economic outcomes.

Workforce Development (Right Track Plus)

Racially and ethnically diverse young people have been disproportionally impacted by the 

economic impacts of COVID-19, including job loss, reduction of hours, deferring school and 

reduced wages. Due to the need to earn incomes to support themselves and their families, 

many young people have been pushed out of career tracks and into low-wage jobs in sectors 

that have limited availability for growth and opportunity. It is expected that most young adults 

served in the Right Track Plus program will be members of racially and ethnically diverse 

communities. By infusing resources, including wages and access to professional development 

and networks, Right Track Plus will allow young adults to enter or re-enter a career pathway that 

leads to increased opportunity for them, their family and their community.

Housing Supply

Many Ramsey County residents live in poverty and struggle to find or afford stable housing. 

Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous renters are more likely to be cost-burdened than white 

renters. Most Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous cost-burdened four-person households are 

earning less than $51,700, which equates to 50% of the area median income (AMI). The current 

market is not building or preserving enough affordable housing to meet the needs of these 

residents, including seniors, low-wage workers and others who make less than $25,000 

annually. Following its Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, Ramsey County will 

direct its affordable housing investments across the full housing continuum, to include building 

generational wealth in communities that have experienced historic wealth extraction.

Community Engagement 

Throughout the pandemic, Ramsey County has been engaging with community in a variety of 

ways, including the Equity Action Circle and virtual townhall meetings, to understand residents’ 

current and future needs. We will continue and expand these conversations, focusing on racial 

equity to build a more prosperous and resilient community. Investments in community 

engagement and racial equity are a top priority of the county’s approach to post-pandemic 

recovery.

Right Track Plus

In developing the Right Track Plus initiative, Workforce Solutions consulted with community 

stakeholders in townhalls, focus groups and local employers on the Workforce Innovation

Board. Workforce Solutions co-convenes with the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative and 

Youth Works!, which strive to improve the employment opportunities of young people. 

Additionally, Workforce Solutions has incorporated input from community-based organizations

that participated in CARES workforce contracts. In response to this feedback, the county and its 

partner, the City of Saint Paul, will lead a Right Track Plus Community Team. This team will 

consist of staff leaders as well as representation from each of the community organizations 

working with the program.
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

Housing Supply

Ramsey County’s affordable housing initiative is informed by its Economic Competitiveness and

Inclusion Plan. This plan was developed through intensive engagement with residents, 

businesses, community leaders and a steering committee. Community & Economic 

Development staff continue to work with the community, housing leaders and city partners to 

determine how this work should be implemented.

Racial Equity & Community Engagement

In 2020, the Racial Equity and Community Engagement Response Team hosted several virtual

townhall meetings on a wide range of topics, including testing, vaccination, housing services, 

crisis and mental health services, emergency assistance and general assistance, employment 

programs and assistance, business and community restoration. County staff heard community 

concerns and responded to questions. Ramsey County will continue to prioritize continuous 

community engagement as it develops its spending priorities for ARPA funds.

Labor Practices

Ramsey County does not anticipate using ARPA funds for infrastructure projects.

Use of Evidence 

ARPA funding is being used for evidence-based interventions and projects will be evaluated 

through rigorous evaluations to build evidence. Ramsey County took this approach 

with evaluation of programs funded through the federal CARES Act dollars in 2020, including 

posting easily-accessible program summaries and financials through its open data

portal. Building on that foundation, Ramsey County is forming an evaluation team for our ARPA 

programming as well.

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
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

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)

$10,500$10,500 $10,500

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

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

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Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

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

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
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services

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)

See Section C(7) on page 27 of the Reporting Guidance for additional information.

Project Inventory 

www.ramseycounty.us/RightTrackPlus

The initial Recovery Plan, Project Inventory and Performance Report covers the date of award 

to July 31, 2021. For this reporting period, Ramsey County has one project to report.

Project G1110120 [Identification Number]: R Right Track+

Funding amount: $2.1M

Project Expenditure Category: Negative Economic Impacts; Job Training Assistance 

Project overview

Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is partnering with the City of Saint Paul to launch a new 

career pathway internship program focused on serving up to 300 COVID-19 pandemic impacted 

young adults (aged 18-24) in Ramsey County. To ensure participant success, participants will 

community receive one on one support from community-based organizations. These 

community-based organizations will also:

• Provide 1:1 employment case management and wrap-around services.

• Support participants’ engagement in Right Track Plus through a new passport 

exploration program for participants to attend a variety of industry-driven exploration 

events throughout the city and county.

• Provide each participant with a community mentor.

• Develop specialized personal or professional development for the young adult 

participants.

The internships will take place from August 16 – November 19, 2021.

In addition to the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County has contracted with 22 community-based 

organizations to support program participants. 

The community-based organizations include:

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Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

• Breaking Free.

• Center for Hmong Arts & Talent.

• Change Inc.

• Confederation of Somali Communities in Minnesota.

• Face to Race.

• Fortune Relief & Youth Empowerment Organization.

• Generations 2 Generations.

• Goodwill Easters Seals of Minnesota.

• Hack the Gap.

• High School for Recording Arts.

• HIRED.

• Irreducible Grace Foundation.

• Level Up MN.

• Lutheran Social Services.

• Merrick Community Services.

• Milestone Community Development.

• Project Restore MN.

• Spark-Y.

• The ANIKA Foundation.

• The JK Movement.

• UpTurnships.

• YWCA of Saint Paul.

There are also 63 employers throughout Ramsey County hosting interns at their workplaces.

Intended outcomes

Through subsidized internships, supported by the county and the city, young adults will gain 

entry-level skills and access to professional networks in six targeted industries: Public 

Pathways, Construction/Green Energy, Urban Agriculture, Creative Arts, Technology and 

Healthcare.

Use of Evidence

ARPA funding is being used for evidence-based interventions and projects will be evaluated 

through rigorous evaluations to build evidence. Ramsey County took this approach 

with evaluation of programs funded through the federal CARES Act dollars in 2020, including 

posting easily-accessible program summaries and financials through its open data

portal. Building on that foundation, Ramsey County is forming an evaluation team for our ARPA 

programming as well.

Link to the website of the project if available www.ramseycounty.us/RightTrackPlus

Performance Report
Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

As of the reporting deadline, the only project with funding allocated through July 31, 2021 is 

Right Track Plus. As of July 31, participants had been recruited, but had not started work, so 

limited information on this program is available.

Demographics of Right Track Plus Interns

We intend to serve BIPOC young adults in proportion to how they have been impacted in the 

larger community, as indicated by unemployment claims. There are 255 interns enrolled in Right 

Track Plus.

• Number of interns enrolled in Right Track+: 255

• Racial/Ethnic demographics of Right Track+ Interns: We intend to serve BIPOC 

young adults in proportion to at least how they have been impacted in the larger 

community as indicated by unemployment claims. With CARES, we served 93% BIPOC 

and intend to be at a similar rate. See outcomes listed above.

• General demographic information – 255 participants

o AAPI: 38 (15%)

o Black/African American: 150 (59%)

o Latinx: 15 (6%)

o Multi-Racial: 24 (9%)

o Native American/Indigenous: 3 (1%)

o Other: 6 (2%)

o White: 19 (7%)

o Female: 131 (51%)

o Male: 119 (47%)

o Non-Binary 5 (2%)

o Other: 1 (0.4%)

o One or more parents born outside US

o Yes: 138 54%

o No: 114 (45%)

Don’t Know: 3 (1%)

To be measured as internships/services begin:

• % of youth reporting they gained confidence in their skills and abilities.

• % of youth reporting they are proud of what they did during the program.

• % if youth who expresses that their supervisor/job coach valued their opinions and 

treated them with respect.

• Recruitment efforts for youth and businesses.

• Ongoing trainings offered.

• Industry experiences.

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision (States and territories only)

For the initial reporting year, States and territories will report the following items related to the 

Tax Offset Provision 31 CFR 35.8. Baseline revenue or revenue-increasing covered charges 

are not required at this time.

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Ramsey County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Item Amount

a. Revenue-reducing Covered Changes $ 0.00