FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 9, 2021

CONTACT:

MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO With the expectation that Congress will vote on and President Biden will sign the American Rescue Plan this week, Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled his framework for how the approximately $300 million expected in federal relief will be used to jumpstart San Diegos economic recovery and provide help to its most vulnerable residents.

I am ready to get our city back on track and back to work with the economic aid provided in President Bidens American Rescue Plan, said Mayor Gloria. With these resources, we will defeat COVID-19, protect core city services and provide aid to small businesses. I ask San Diegans to join me in urging Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan so we can build a better tomorrow for all of us.

Mayor Gloria will use the Back to Work SD plan he proposed during his campaign as a blueprint to strengthen San Diegos economy. Though the City must await further guidance from Washington on the specifics of how it can use this aid, Mayor Glorias plan will focus on defeating COVID-19, preserving core neighborhood services to protect jobs and equipping San Diegans for a better tomorrow.

DEFEAT COVID-19

To protect lives and livelihoods, a portion of the federal aid must support continued vaccination efforts. More than 5,000 vaccine doses could be distributed daily on city-owned properties.

Mayor Gloria is committed to supporting vaccination efforts in communities of concern to create a more equitable recovery. Funding from the American Rescue Plan will ensure that the City can continue to vaccinate people across the City regardless of their income level, transportation challenges or access to healthcare.

PROTECT CORE SERVICES AND PROTECT JOBS

The bulk of the federal aid will go to addressing the Citys immediate budget crisis. In addition to the current $86 million budget deficit, the City is expected to be $154 million short in the next fiscal year if it wanted to keep up with the services offered today.

Closing these gaps will preserve jobs, avoid salary cuts and ensure employees will continue to provide vital services residents deserve.

The infusion of federal dollars will allow Mayor Gloria to continue his efforts to reduce homelessness and assist renters by investing in programs that will connect the most vulnerable San Diegans to their families, services and permanent housing.

The Mayors plan will also provide infrastructure improvements in every neighborhood, prioritize long-delayed road repairs and reconstruction, and address stormwater system problems that can lead to flooding and property destruction across the City during heavy rains.

EQUIP SAN DIEGANS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

While the American Rescue Plan provides aid to restaurants and small businesses with much-needed relief, the City of San Diego is exploring ways to make it easier for local businesses to navigate the pathways to success in the new economy.

Though this is one-time funding, Mayor Gloria is committed to using it to be the foundation for long-term stability for the City and its residents.

###