The vast majority of Michigan townships accepted federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, allocated by the U.S. government in 2021, to support response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each township that accepted ARPA funds must complete their annual “Project and Expenditure Report” by the April 30 deadline, as a “non-entitlement unit of government” (NEU; all but Michigan’s eight largest townships are NEUs). NEUs must complete the required report every year, even if your township has already fully spent the funds. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, failure to do so will result in the township returning the funds—even if you’ve already spent them—to the U.S. government. The reporting portal typically opens around April 1. Resources and guidance are available on MTA’s “Federal COVID Relief” webpage, the state’s ARPA webpage and U.S. Treasury’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds website. As a reminder, your township’s SAM.gov registration must be active for the reporting, and must be renewed annually. This is free of charge. Your township does not have to pay or go through a third party to renew your registration.
Michigan Townships Association
