Webinar Recording: Strategies for Planning and Managing ARPA Funds

On-Demand

Watch On-Demand

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments have struggled to get the resources necessary to adequately address staff needs, provide contactless services for residents, and continue advancing technology through digital solutions to promote positive civic experiences.

If you’re looking for digital optimization opportunities to improve resident services in your community, you may still be eligible to use ARPA funds.

In this webinar recording, Suzette Arnold and Hardin Watkins from the University of Georgia Institute of Government will provide valuable insight on ARPA topics, including:

A refresher program overview
What is known about fund distribution and usage based on the most recent rulings
Strategies for using funds, including use cases specific to local governments

Your Hosts:

Suzette Arnold

MPA

Suzette Arnold joined the Institute of Government in May 2017 and is currently working in the Governmental Training, Education, and Development division. She is responsible for working with charter schools, state, local, and online training programs. She also conducts retreats and facilitates focus groups and other meetings. She previously served as grants and contracts director, with the Georgia Department of Labor and the Fulton County government. Suzette has 18 years of experience managing project-based teams in Georgia and New York and has expertise in social service programs such as homelessness, mental health, workforce development, housing, and community development.

Education: M.P.A., Bernard Baruch College, (City University of New York

Hardin Watkins

MPA

Hardin Watkins is a Public Service Assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and is focused on local government education, training and leadership development.

His previous experience includes 32 years in local government leadership, including 23 years as a City Manager in Burlington, North Carolina, Garner, North Carolina, and Suwanee, Georgia. He also served 5 years as Assistant to the City Manager in Decatur, Georgia.

He is a credentialed manager recognized by the International City/County Management Association and completed the Institute of Government’s Management Development Program in 1996.

Hardin’s career accomplishments include the graceful navigation of the challenges of the pandemic in Burlington, an All-America City designation for Garner in 2013, and the Money Magazine “Top 10 Places to Live in the U.S.” designation for Suwanee in 2007.

Education: M.P.A., UNC-Chapel Hill; B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill in Public Policy Analysis; Public Executive Leadership Academy, UNC School of Government