First-of-its-kind study from the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School examined how local governments are
leveraging recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to advance equity—identifying Baltimore as the third highest performing jurisdiction in the nation.
This week, a new multiyear study conducted by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy (the Institute) at The New School named Baltimore as the third highest performing jurisdiction in the U.S. in investing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to advance racial and economic equity.
Baltimore ranked third (tied with Austin, TX) of 170 U.S. cities and counties evaluated by the Institute’s Budget Equity Project, which examined how local governments across the U.S. are utilizing ARPA funds to support equity in their communities. Based on its classification of investments reported in July 2023 to the United States Department of Treasury, the Institute’s ARPA Equity Assessment found that Baltimore devoted 81 percent of $336.7 million in obligated funds towards equity-focused investments, as defined by their classifications.
“Building an equitable city and tackling the intentional disinvestment that so many of our neighborhoods and residents have endured has been a cornerstone of my time as Mayor,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This assessment is yet another proof point that our use of ARPA funding – and the work of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs – is changing lives and strengthening our city. I am extremely proud of the work that MORP has done and the way that all of Baltimore’s ARPA recipients have put this funding to use to help fuel Baltimore’s renaissance in a way that works for all of our residents.”
