Hamilton County and local communities are eligible for more than $20.5 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses through the federal stimulus package, according to local lawmakers.
“Communities across our state incurred unexpected expenses to fight this virus,” State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) said. “This funding provides an opportunity to recoup some money spent on additional resources needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Hoosiers’ health.”
Indiana allocated $300 million in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security Act to counties and communities for reimbursement of expenditures related to the pandemic. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said the funding, allocated based on population, cannot be used to replace lost tax revenue.
“There is no doubt this pandemic has impacted local budgets while they quickly ramped up public health and safety measures to protect Hoosiers,” Huston said. “Fishers has shown great leadership and taken thoughtful action to mitigate the effects of this virus, and now our community and others have an opportunity to offset some of those unexpected costs.”
“Our communities have been working tirelessly to provide Hoosiers with personal protective equipment, including small businesses,” State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville) said. “These are the types of expenses cities and towns can apply to recapture through these federal dollars.”
“COVID-19 has touched every corner of our state and while we don’t know the full extent of the economic damage it has caused, local communities are eligible for reimbursement for money spent fighting this virus,” State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) said. “I encourage any area that is eligible, to apply to recoup funds used to slow the spread.”
State Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) said the Indiana Finance Authority is in charge of implementing guidelines on how each county, city and town can use the funding, as well as compiling reimbursement requests through accepted documentation including invoices.
“Some Hoosiers are anxiously waiting to head back to work or reopen their business, but they must do so in a safe and responsible manner, which includes sourcing face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer,” Torr said. “This has created added costs for cities and towns as they try to adjust to this evolving situation.”
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