American Rescue Plan Act funds will help non-entitlement cities offset costs from COVID-19
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 22, 2021) – Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $157 million in funding for more than 360 non-entitlement cities in Kentucky from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The funding will arrive as soon as next week to offset expenses related to COVID-19, including the costs of personal protective equipment, vaccination clinics, loss of revenue, payroll and more.
“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,” said Gov. Beshear. “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.”
Louisa Mayor Harold Slone said Friday that he doesn’t know yet what the money can be spent on. Louisa is getting $602,000 over a two year period.
“I’m sure this will be a welcome sight to local governments… however I’m still educating myself on what and how it can be spent. Also we are getting half this year and half next,” Slone said.
The Department for Local Government (DLG) was tasked with distributing these 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 today.
Each allocation was 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. Allocation amounts are available here.
For more information on ARPA funding for non-entitlement cities and a full list of eligible expenses, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website.
Lazer editor Mark Grayson contributed to this story.
Just hand it over to poor old KAG. She’ll gave a fit if you don’t.
Hell Harold, KAG will have a fit regardless!
Harry it’s GIVE not GAVE NO doubt your a Trumpster
Actually, it’s “have.” My big thumb hit g instead of h.
You’re right Charles, nothing satisfies HAG…errr, KAG. That thumb!
He made a simple typo GAG, I mean KAG. You used no comma(s), no period. And you are going to correct Harold’s grammar…seriously? You?
Charley ever wonder how much of this money will help fund police departments ?
Since this bill passed with NO Republican Votes would you say the Republicans are the ones who are defunding the police ?
To put this as simply as I can, taxpaying working people are now going to pay for pet projects and perhaps handouts to every crooked town government in KY. I’m not saying Louisa is that kind of town. However many small towns are. Some of those towns will get a bunch of police cars, fire trucks and other things they in reality don’t need, and in some towns on the list the city governments/council people and mayors will funnel as much as they can get by with in their own bank accounts. The welfare riders will praise this, but the money won’t come out of their pockets.
Charley that’s not all the Republicans are going back home and taking credit for something they voted against can you believe that ? Now who’s funding the police Charley?
Watch what they do not what they say.
“I’m not saying Louisa is that kind of town.”
I’ll say it, Louisa is exactly they kind of town. We have a crook county attorney and our fiscal court is in ARC’s pocket. None of this money will be spent where it needs to be spent.
Randall first the county attorney has nothing to do with the city hint city county. The fiscal court has nothing to do with the city hint county city. The money can only be spent on certain things police and fire departments are 2 of them.
How much of this TAX MONEY are you putting in GAG? Not one damn cent.
Charley I will put my tax payments up against yours anytime you want to.
Spend it on the river walk. Not on rehab and feeding kids whose parents get food stamps.
Yeah, forget those kids, they can fend for themselves.
NEWS FLASH, How about this inovative idea: Let the parents take care of their own kids.
I raised mine so raise your’s $$$$ Yes that would require a JOB !!!
Great idea! I’ve never understood these handouts for so called needy children whose parents draw a boatload of food stamps? I am not against helping kids and that’s not what I’m saying.