Viewpoint: Here’s how Baltimore, other cities can make the best use of Covid relief funds

More than $1.1 billion was allocated to Maryland’s local governments under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Municipalities across the U.S. are landing major projects that would otherwise require years of careful budgeting. Baltimore received $641 million, including $4.9 million to complete the redevelopment of Lexington Market, $11 million to combat food insecurity and $35 million to help close the city’s digital divide. This summer, Mayor Brandon Scott announced the allocation of $3.4 million in relief funding for nonprofits serving Baltimore residents. These funds are the next round of distributions made through the mayor’s $8.3 million investment into the Baltimore Civic Fund’s Nonprofit Relief Fund.