Data shows long-term, positive impacts of ARPA programming

As featured in the Journal Record

The difficult economic climate created by the COVID-19 pandemic called for sustained, strategic recovery programs. The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided the funding and framework for such programs, emphasizing support for those most deeply impacted—minority-owned businesses and folks transitioning into a new sector of the workforce. ARPA funding was due to be spent or returned by December 2024, and as auditors and researchers have now had the time to thoroughly examine outcomes, it is clear that ARPA played a major role in our community’s economic stability through those difficult years.

The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City was awarded the contract to distribute ARPA funding through various programs and organizations with the potential to make the greatest impact. Out of $20 million in funding, $12.8M was distributed directly to local and small businesses and nonprofits, $3.2M supported workforce growth and training, and $4M was designated for minority-owned small businesses. The funds were distributed through three types of programs: 1) direct payout, where qualifying projects were directly reimbursed, 2) training programs intended to create a more resilient workforce, and 3) accelerators that offered a combination of training and grant funding to grow small businesses or launch innovative ideas.

In total, Alliance managed programs impacted 837 businesses across Oklahoma City, with 82% of those being minority-owned. These programs created more than 265 permanent jobs, 82% of those new hires were OKC residents. Over 600 individuals received direct training for further career development, impacting mostly minority individuals. Those who underwent training saw a 13% increase in their income on average. Perhaps the greatest outcome was the self-reported 88% rate of satisfaction among participants. It is an honor to have left so many people across our community feeling better about their economic futures and resiliency.

Read the rest of the column in the Journal Record.

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