Barnstable County Awards ARPA Grant to Town of Bourne
Information from the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners and the Assembly of Delegates
ARPA funds allocated to Bourne for critical ambulance project
Additional Towns strongly encouraged to submit funding applications
August 10, 2022 (Barnstable, MA) – Barnstable County Regional Government today announced the award and execution of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding grant from Barnstable County to the Town of Bourne in the amount of $750,276.00. This is the second grant made through the County’s application portal that was opened in May. The first grant was awarded to the Town of Mashpee for $657,653.41 for a wastewater project. A total allocation of $10 million will be made to towns through the portal.
This grant will fund the purchase of two custom-built Lifeline “Superliner” Class I Emergency Medical Vehicles for Bourne. This funding will provide critical resources to address challenges to the Town’s emergency response, which has been directly and significantly impacted due to COVID-19. Patients regularly need to be transported further than expected to more distant hospitals for medical care based on conditions and state-wide treatment protocols, as well as hospital capacity constraints. Given these challenges, the Town of Bourne has been at risk of being unable to respond adequately to the ongoing public health emergencies that have been caused or exacerbated by the pandemic, including response to calls for mental health intervention, substance abuse, and overdose, and domestic violence. This ARPA funding will give Bourne the critical resources it needs to provide medical care to those in most need.
“The Assembly of Delegates is pleased money appropriated this spring is being administered in accordance to ARPA regulations. The town of Bourne will benefit from this appropriation, and we encourage additional towns to apply for their allocated funding immediately,” said Patrick Princi, Speaker of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.
“I am thrilled on behalf of the town of Bourne to hear the announcement of the funding grant for the purchase of two custom-built Lifeline “Superliner” Class 1 Emergency Medical Vehicles. To see Town Administrator Marlene McCollem and Finance Director Erica Fleming working with Assistant County Administrator Vaira Harik execute this request for ARPA funds successfully through the new portal so promptly is gratifying. Knowing that the parties in Bourne will be working with Kara Hughes, the newly appointed ARPA funds manager, and other County staff to convert these funds to their intended purpose gives me confidence that Bourne and other municipalities will clear any hurdles to maximize the appropriation of the remaining funds,” said George Slade, former Bourne Select Board member and Bourne’s Current Representative to the Assembly of Delegates.
“The Town of Bourne is thrilled to learn that the Barnstable County ARPA program will provide two new ambulances to serve our residents. The new ambulances will help ensure that we are prepared to provide emergency medical services throughout the future phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. Working cooperatively with the County to secure these resources for the community has been a rewarding experience. On behalf of the Town, I would like to sincerely thank Barnstable County for their professionalism, assistance, and consideration throughout the process,” said Marlene McCollem, Bourne Town Administrator.
“This grant for Bourne’s ambulance project is one more step in providing much-needed critical resources for Cape Cod to address issues created by the pandemic. Barnstable County will continue to administer ARPA funds as quickly as possible, to support long-term investments in our communities,” said Sheila Lyons, Chair of the County Board of Commissioners.
Barnstable County will receive $41.3 million in ARPA funds from the US Treasury, and the 15 towns in Barnstable County will, collectively, receive an additional $26.1 million in ARPA funds.
Cape Cod’s 15 towns are eligible to submit project applications to the County for funding under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) via the user-friendly portal. So far, the County has received six applications (including Mashpee and Bourne), and we strongly encourage all towns to submit their applications immediately. Additional information about the County’s ARPA program can be found at https://www.capecod.gov/barnstable-county-federal-american-rescue-plan-act-arpa/.
About Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
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