From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber issued the following statements after a virtual press conference on how the American Rescue Plan will help Santa Fe curb the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster vaccine distribution, support students and schools, and provide assistance for struggling restaurants and renters.

A full breakdown of the American Rescue Plan is available HERE.

“The American Rescue Plan will help New Mexico finally put an end to this pandemic. We are supercharging the rollout of vaccines and resources for our health care workers. The emergency support for local governments—including $15 million for the City of Santa Fe and $29 million for Santa Fe County—will keep essential services operating and ensure our first responders who have gone above and beyond to respond to this. We are also delivering $1.2 billion directly to local public schools in New Mexico to help educators safely welcome students back to classroom and providing immediate economic relief for families in need and the small businesses, arts venues, and local restaurants that power Santa Fe’s economy,” Heinrich said.

“The American Rescue Plan includes relief for communities in every corner of New Mexico, and it’s crucial that New Mexicans learn about the resources and support that is becoming available. This new law includes significant relief for Santa Fe’s small businesses, non-profits, and restaurants to help keep their doors open and their workers on the payroll. The American Rescue Plan will be a game changer for the countless restaurant owners who have seen their businesses struggle during this pandemic,” Luján said. “These investments will strengthen Santa Fe’s economy, support thousands of jobs, and put us on a path to recover and rebuild.”

“The American Rescue Plan responds to the needs of Santa Fe. As a member of this beautiful community, we understood the health necessity, but were saddened as our small businesses, family owned restaurants, art galleries, and music venues suffered and temporarily closed to keep us safe. This rescue plan provides a lifeline for Santa Feans. It puts money directly in their pockets and an estimated $15.4 million in direct assistance to the city to keep our communities strong. The aid towards our smallest business owners, early child-care, and the estimated $22 million for Santa Fe Public Schools will help bring Santa Fe’s economy back to life,” Leger Fernandez said.

“Thanks to the hard work of our delegation, Santa Fe will receive direct aid to boost our community’s road to recovery. The ARP will help us restore City services and provide direct support for our hard-hit mom-and-pop businesses. It will also give much needed funding to our shuttered venues, our fiestas and markets that are the heart and soul of Santa Fe. As we continue to focus on going from Green to Turquoise, and helping our local health care providers with vaccinations, the American Rescue Plan will enable Santa Fe to build back better,” Webber said.