COVID-19 Information Hub

SIMPCO has compiled several links to official information to aid the community as our region responds to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Please check back for updates.

American Rescue Plan –

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law.  The $1.9 trillion package is intended to facilitate the United States’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund will provide $19.53 billion to support non-entitlement units of local governments (NEUs), which are local governments typically serving a population under 50,000.  The ARPA directs the Department of the Treasury to make payments to each State for distribution to NEUs within the State. Treasury has published additional guidance around the distribution process to NEUs.

Once payment from Treasury has been received, states will have 30 days to disburse payments to NEUs unless an extension is requested. States will issue further instructions on how NEUs can request their first distribution from the state. As this allocation and distribution process moves forward, NEUs with questions about the payment process should consult their state government.

Eligible fund use includes:

  • To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
  • To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
  • For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and
  • To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

For more information visit the U.S Treasury Website: click here

SIMPCO members needing assistance in accessing ARPA funds, please contact, Michelle Bostinelos.

Iowa NEUs

Non-entitlement units of local governments (NEUs) in Iowa have until August 4, 2021 to apply and secure funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) at the State of Iowa’s submissions portal. The submission portal and short application are available on the Iowa COVID-19 Local Fiscal Recovery Fund website; click here.

Additional Iowa resources:
Iowa League of Cities: click here
Iowa Auditor: click here

Nebraska NEUs

Nebraska has received half of the funds which will be distributed, as requested by the non-entitlement units (NEU), per completion of the NEU Application. The second half of the funds will be received no earlier than 12 months from the first half. Those funds will be distributed in the same manner as the first, pursuant to each completed application.  For more information click here.

Additional Nebraska Resources:
Nebraska League of Municipalities: click here 

South Dakota NEUs

South Dakota non-entitlement units (NEU) can find instructions and forms to be summited through the SD COVID Stimulus Portal on the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management website: click here.    The submission portal is expected to go live the last week of July 2021.

Additional South Dakota Resources:
South Dakota League of Municipalities: click here

Additional ARPA Resources:

Equity and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Populations Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19 –

Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, and worship affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes, such as COVID-19 disease, severe illness, and death. As evidenced by the available data to date, populations that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 include, but are not limited to:

  • People in racial and ethnic minority groups
  • People living in communities with a high social vulnerability index
  • People living in rural communities
  • People with disabilities
  • People with who are homebound or isolated
  • People who are underinsured or uninsured
  • People who are immigrants and/or refugees
  • People with transportation limitations

To address these disparities, the purpose of this is to fund strategies that ensure greater equity and access to COVID-19 vaccine by those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The intent is to leverage existing and cultivate new community-based partnerships to extend reach to vulnerable populations. This funding should be used to support COVID-19 vaccination education, outreach, and/or administration.

For more information and to apply, visit: Equity and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Populations Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19 (iowa.gov)

General COVID-19 Links:

Community Spread Prevention:

Preparing the Workplace:

Talking to your Children about COVID-19:

People at Higher-Risk and Special Populations:

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to remind Iowa communities of the resources available to their drinking water and waster systems for continued operation if their drinking water and wastewater treatment staff become ill.  The following resources are available: