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More than $500 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will <br />go to Minnesota cities this year, on top of $510 million in 2021 — a federal <br />windfall that suburban officials predict they'll never see again. <br />An informal survey of four dozen Twin Cities suburbs shows that many are <br />using ARPA funds on sewer and water infrastructure projects, fire <br />department updates, community and sports center projects, and <br />technology and software needs. <br />"This is the first time that I've experienced this kind of level of federal <br />financial aid to cities," said Edina City Manager Scott Neal. "This is an <br />incredible opportunity and I think we have to be careful with it." <br />ARPA funds can be used to mitigate the public health costs and economic <br />hit of COVID, boost pay for essential workers and replenish revenue lost as <br />a result of COVID, said Lisa Sova, assistant director of finance for the <br />League of Minnesota Cities. But they can also cover costs for infrastructure <br />such as water, sewer and broadband, "It's a great way to address those <br />infrastructue isues that evey city struggles with," she said.