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The funds can't be used to replenish reserve funds, pay down debt, create <br />a rainy day fund, bolster pensions or pay for court judgments or <br />settlements. And ARPA money isn't like the federal money distributed in <br />2020 under the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) <br />Act to combat COVID-related expenses, which had to be spent quickly, <br />Sova said. <br />"The American Rescue Plan Act funding feels very different. It's more of a <br />deliberate, thoughtful type of funding looking to address the long-term <br />impacts that cities have felt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," Sova <br />said. <br />East Bethel, South St. Paul and Cottage Grove — which will receive $1.2 <br />million, $2.2 million and $3.9 million from ARPA, respectively — plan to <br />fund sewer and water infrastructure projects. Lakeville, which will receive <br />$5.3 million, will put money toward a new fire truck, and Little Canada, <br />with $1.1 million, anticipates doing the same. <br />To a lesser extent, cities have spent money — or plan to spend it — on <br />broadband, public safety, road projects and park improvements. <br />And a handful of cities haven't spent any of their ARPA money because it <br />carries a longer shelf life than CARES funds. They're waiting to use the <br />funds after learning they have until Dec. 31, 2024, to do so, and even <br />longer — until Dec. 31, 2026 — if it's committed to a specific project.