Agenda - Council - 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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unemployed workers and stimulate the recovery. Therefore, for a subset of state governments, Treasury has provided funds in one payment. Treasury believes that this approach strikes an appropriate balance between the general reasons to provide funds in two payments and the heightened additional near -term needs in specific states. As discussed above, Treasury set a threshold based on historical analysis of unemployment rates in recessions. Reaching Underserved Communities Finally, the final rule aims to promote and streamline the provision of assistance to individuals and communities in greatest need, particularly communities that have been historically underserved and have experienced disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Targeting relief is in line with Executive Order 13985, "Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government," which laid out an Administration -wide priority to support "equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality." To this end, the final rule enumerates a list of services that may be provided using SLFRF funds in disproportionately impacted communities, including low-income areas, to address the more severe impacts of the pandemic in these communities; establishes the characteristics of essential workers eligible for premium pay and encouragement to serve workers based on financial need; provides that recipients may use SLFRF funds to restore state and local workforces, where women and people of color are disproportionately represented; and requires that broadband infrastructure projects participate in programs to support affordability of broadband service. Collectively, these provisions will promote use of resources to facilitate the provision of assistance to individuals and communities with the greatest need. 398