Area cities awarded funds for COVID-19-related expenses

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

FRANKFORT —Nine cities in the Big Sandy region will receive a portion of more than $157 million in funding awarded to Kentucky from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The funding will arrive as soon as this week to offset expenses related to COVID-19, including the costs of personal protective equipment, vaccination clinics, loss of revenue, payroll and more, according to a press release from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office.

Allocations for cities were based on population, per the U.S. Treasury. Eligible local governments will receive half of their total allocation now, with the second half of funding coming between spring and summer of next year.

Louisa will receive a total of $602,597.60, with its first installment being $301,298.80.

Paintsville will get a total of $1,033,246.43 and a first installment of $516,623.21.

A total of $914,643.20 was awarded to Prestonsburg, which will receive a first installment of $457,321.60.

Martin was awarded $143,463.29, with a first installment of $71,731.65.

Wheelwright will get a total of $130,256.38 and a first installment of $65,128.19.

Wayland was awarded a total of $82,069.79, which includes a first installment of $41,034.90.

A total of $44,540.95 was awarded to Allen, with a first installment of $22,270.47.

Inez will get $99,788.25 and a first installment of $49,894.13.

Warfield will receive a total of $45,463.50, which includes a $22,731.75 first installment.

“Local governments have been important partners in our battle against COVID-19, and we know they have taken on great hardship and expenses to protect our people,” Beshear said. “I’m relieved our eligible city governments will receive these funds, because if we are to build a better Kentucky, we must ensure our communities are supported and positioned for growth.”

The Department for Local Government (DLG) was tasked with distributing the funds. Non-entitlement cities, or cities with populations under 50,000 that did not file for a different distinction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, were required to submit budget certification forms to DLG. Payments have been processed through Kentucky’s accounting system and are expected to be sent to cities Thursday.