The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal statute that took effect on March 11, 2021, guaranteed direct relief to municipalities across the United States. Methuen was initially shortchanged by the federal government when the City received a comparatively modest ARPA fund allocation of $19.8 million, but Mayor Neil Perry fought to ensure our community would not be left behind. The City of Methuen ultimately received an allocation of $46.1 million.