Roads, parks, nonprofits: How Lancaster County municipalities have earmarked $50 million in ARPA funding so far

Three years ago, Lancaster County municipalities collectively found themselves with a $50 million windfall. Without a lot of fanfare or flashy ribbon cuttings, that money was put to work in many ways.

It’s not that local officials have been secretive about how they were using the funds, which came from the federal government as part of an effort to jump-start the post-pandemic economy. The projects often just weren’t visible or obvious to many people.

The money went to pay for updated HVAC systems, new sewer pipes and stormwater infrastructure, donations to local fire departments and upgraded sports facilities in local parks.

Still, some officials say what people may see as small projects actually will be transformational in their communities. Purchases that were delayed for years, like the snow thrower Manor Township bought to deal with snow drifting on South Centerville Road, were suddenly possible.

“Some of this is money we wouldn’t have normally been able to spend,” Manor Township Manager Ryan Strohecker said. “We’re trying to (make an impact) on the community in a variety of different ways.”

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, sent billions to local governments across the country. While Lancaster County and Lancaster city got direct payments under the program, 59 municipalities in the county received a portion of the $6.15 billion the federal government tasked Pennsylvania with distributing.

On average, townships and boroughs here reaped $850,000 from the program, with more densely populated municipalities like Manheim Township getting proportionally larger shares.

Some local officials were unsure how to handle the task of distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars while also navigating federal reporting and spending guidelines. The money can be used only for specific expenses such as funding transportation projects and replacing lost tax revenue; governments are required to finalize their spending plans by the end of this year, and all money must be spent by the end of 2026.

Officials in one county township saw the regulations as too burdensome and chose to decline the federal money altogether.

At least half of the county’s municipalities have either spent or allocated all of their funds. Still, $8.5 million in federal recovery money remains to be allocated.

Here’s a look at where Lancaster County local governments have decided to put their ARPA dollars so far. 

Water infrastructure: $10,224,293

Stormwater management is a significant challenge facing local governments across the country, touching on everything from flooding to environmental protection to public health.

In Lancaster County, municipal officials say ARPA dollars took some of the burden off their taxpayers when it came to completing these projects, many of which are mandates handed down from federal and state environmental regulators.

In East Earl Township, Chairman Nelson Groff noted that past building practices contribute to major stormwater problems, and as a result the township fields regular complaints from residents about flooding. The township has invested over $30,000 for a bioswale to collect and filter stormwater at Cedar Creek, where flooding is worst.

“It’s a benefit for all,” Groff said. “You can’t forget all of the sins in the past.”

Other examples of how governments used ARPA money for water infrastructure costs include:

• Manheim Township, general stormwater management: $1,200,000.
• Paradise Township, sewer plant upgrades: $559,551.
• West Earl Township, Akron Water Tower rehabilitation: $243,182.

General government costs: $9,000,371

Recovery money made its way to Clay Township at just the right time, Manager Bruce Leisley said. Municipal improvement expenses including a $180,150 dump truck and a $385,000 salt shed were growing without the funds to cover them.

The township was set on earmarking ARPA money for physical items, Leisley said, because residents should be able to see how the township’s money was spent.

While leaders had the chance to set funds aside to replace tax revenue lost during the pandemic, most opted to spend ARPA money on expenses that would benefit the everyday operations.

Here are a few other ways governments covered their general expenses:

• West Hempfield Township, lost revenue replacement: $1,752,581.
• Clay Township, international dump truck: $180,150.
• East Earl Township, staff hazard pay: $11,500.

Public safety: $7,950,501

Adamstown EMS providers have needed new ambulances for years. Council President Randy Good said the borough was sympathetic to the fundraising challenge faced by the volunteer force. As a result, the borough dedicated its entire ARPA allocation – $196,778 – to help EMS and local police.

“It’s one of those things that a lot of people don’t like to spend money on, but when you need it,” you need it, he said.

Another challenge is recruiting, as departments are often competing against larger, better-funded peers to attract qualified candidates.

Here are a few ways governments covered public safety costs:

• West Lampeter Township, police salaries: $1,669,474.
• East Petersburg Borough, fire company building improvements: $171,540.
• West Cocalico Township, Reinholds Community Ambulance Association: $50,000.

Road infrastructure: $7,840,591

Pequea Township supervisors Chair Harry Lehman said the requirement that all ARPA funds be designated by the end of this year was a helpful deadline – it made sure the township went ahead and spent the money on road repairs that had been neglected.

“I think the common goal was to better the whole township with the money any way we could,” Lehman said. “(ARPA) helps us save a road.”

Pequea officials allocated $78,000 to resurface Shultz Road this year, a project that’s been years in the making. Waiting longer, Lehman said, would have made the price tag even higher. The ARPA funds are just enough to cover the inflated costs from four years ago.

The county’s largest infrastructure project using ARPA funding is East Hempfield Township’s effort to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Centerville Road to five lanes. The township has dedicated $2.5 million in federal rescue funds toward the $36.3 million project, set to be completed in July 2025.

Other examples of road infrastructure projects include:

• East Donegal Township, Chickies Creek Day Use Area parking lot construction: $223,493.
• Manheim, East High Street sidewalks: $170,000.
• Denver Borough, Weaver Road bridge project: $150,000.

Recreation: $3,989,324

East Donegal Township’s refurbished pickleball courts probably wouldn’t have happened without ARPA money. Chairman Scott Kingsboro said the project was never high on the township’s radar, as municipal leaders are usually scraping by to ensure basic costs are covered.

Through ARPA, Kingsboro said, municipalities can finally get around to some wish list items that will benefit “every aspect of the community.” In East Donegal’s case, that means $45,900 to help resurface pickleball, basketball and skating courts at Fuhrman Park on Rock Point Road.

Here are a few ways governments used ARPA funds for recreation projects:

• Manheim Township, Athletic Complex turf field: $1.4 million.
• Elizabethtown Borough, new playground equipment and play surface: $581,783.
• Little Britain Township, municipal park pavilion, new room: $17,448.

Environment: $1,589,227

East Cocalico Township took a one-of-a-kind step three years ago when supervisors and township staff jointly created the Farmers Saving Soil and Stopping Sediment program (FS4). To make it happen, Chairman Lorenzo Bonura said the township invested over $62,000 in ARPA money.

The goal is to encourage local farmers to practice environmentally friendly farming techniques, like no-till planting, to prevent sediment runoff. When they receive a positive inspection, farmers receive a cash payment from the township. The program received recognition from Gov. Josh Shapiro earlier this month.

“It’s starting to get a lot of traction,” Bonura said. “It’s a huge accomplishment for such a small community.”

Other examples of ARPA-funded environmental projects include:

• West Donegal Township, Conoy Creek streambank project: $474,309.
• Lancaster Township, St. Joseph Cemetery woody waste facility: $135,000.
• Manheim Township, Grandview stream restoration: $50,000.

Digital upgrades: $451,212

The pandemic forced many governments to shift to virtual meetings, including East Lampeter Township, where officials saw value in maintaining the online access even as in-person meetings became the norm again. As a result, a slice of the township’s ARPA funds have been invested in upgrades to the township meeting room, including audio and visual additions.

Other municipalities similarly have turned to ARPA funds to upgrade their information technology systems:

• Mount Joy Township, SmartGOV software purchase: $105,242.
• Akron Borough, security camera system: $16,530.
• West Earl Township, new website design: $11,570.

Community donations: $368,714

Like fire and EMS organizations, libraries across the county raise most of their funding from the public, with contributions from local governments typically covering just a fraction of their total costs. Clay Township Manager Leisey said officials there knew right away they should give funds to nearby Ephrata Public Library to help lighten its load, even if just for a year.

“We’re probably more conservative on our annual donation, because we want to make sure in good times and bad times, the funding stays the same,” Leisey said.

Clay approved $5,000 for the Ephrata library.

Here are a few other community groups that received ARPA funding from municipalities:

• Lititz Borough, Venture Lititz to create a new mobile app, website and visitor’s guide: $30,000.
• Christiana Borough, Lancaster Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society for a new deck and roof of refurbished freight station: $10,000.
• Quarryville Borough, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries to renovate newly purchased building: $5,000.

Housing: $240,000

Lancaster Township is the only municipality in the county to put money toward housing initiatives, aside from Lancaster city, which invested millions in affordable housing, and the county, which put nearly $5 million toward housing projects.

Township Manager Bill Laudien said its ARPA allocation will fund home repairs for low- to moderate-income homeowners. Residents can apply to receive a match of up to $2,500.

The decision comes as housing needs countywide have amplified. Last year, the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition found that homelessness grew by 54 people for a total of 526 people experiencing homelessness. At least 107 of those people were living on the streets, a jump from 20 people in 2022. The coalition has not released updated numbers for its latest survey in January. In the meantime, home prices surged in March after dipping slightly in February and may be poised to beat the all-time record high set last September.

Education: $52,000

Manor Township is the only municipality so far to put money toward education. Manager Strohecker said the money will go toward the Penn Manor Education Foundation to fund two annual $1,000 scholarships to benefit graduating seniors studying agriculture or policing.

“We have a board of elected officials that works very closely with the school,” Strohecker said. “We just felt like it was a great way to support students in their endeavors … (and) these two endeavors are close to Manor Township.”

Reporter Sarah Nicell, who writes about campaign finance for LNP | LancasterOnline, contributed to this report. Nicell's work is funded by the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund. For more information, or to make a contribution, please visit lanc.news/supportlocaljournalism.