County begins process to spend $3.7 million in federal rescue money
By John Lipez
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County government is preparing to move forward to decide how to best spend more than $3.7 million dropped into its coffers by the federal government in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
County board chairman Miles Kessinger offered brief remarks on the process at the commissioners’ work session on Monday. He said the federal money, from the American Rescue Plan, contains “very stringent” guidelines as to how the money may be used to assist local governments in recovery from the pandemic.
The exact amount in the first round is $3,751,906.50, a similar amount due in 12 months. After the meeting, county Chief Clerk Jann Meyers provided therecord-online more specific information:
The funding was received directly from the United States Treasury Department. All of the funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024 with all projects performed by December 31, 2026. The funds are meant to aid in recovery from COVID. Unlike funding provided under the CARES Act, these funds cover a significantly broader set of uses, including but not limited to:
* Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control;
* Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harm to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector
* Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the Pandemic.
* Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investment to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet
* Support safe reopening of businesses in the tourism, travel and hospitality industries as well as planned expansion or upgrade of tourism, travel and hospitality facilities delayed due to the pandemic.
Within these overall categories, the County has broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of our communities. The guidelines and eligibility rules regarding use of the funding continue to evolve. 66 project categories have been identified. The Commissioners have meetings scheduled to determine broad areas they would like to consider for funding. They want to take their time, as Commissioner Kessinger said this morning, to be sure they use the funds for eligible projects that will have a significant impact for the County.
