Auburn will receive grants of $100,000 to assist small businesses and $50,000 in technology assistance for the Auburn School District, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer announced.

The grants are federally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is a $1.9 trillion stimulus package intended to help aid the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

King County received a total of $437 million in ARPA funding, and von Reichbauer put in the requests for Auburn.

The $50,000 will go toward providing technology support for low-income students in the Auburn School District, according to von Reichbauer. It will also go toward connectivity support for hybrid learning.

“Although the recovery has begun, our schools are still dealing with the technological needs necessitated by hybrid learning along with trying to ensure that all students have equal access to technology,” von Reichbauer said. “These funds will help our schools meet these challenges and provide a quality learning environment for all their students.”

The $100,000 will go to small businesses and organizations that are struggling because of the pandemic whether it be from shutdowns or increased expenses, von Reichbauer said.

“These funds will help these groups get back on their feet as they begin the process of returning to pre-COVID times,” von Reichbauer said.

Now that the grants have been awarded, the grant recipients have to sign some required documents and a grant agreement, then the grantees can submit invoices to the county so the county can ensure the expenditures are permitted. Once the paperwork is complete, the payment can be made, according to the county.