Solano County to receive $87 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds
(File photo by Matthew Keys/Solano NewsNet)
Solano County will receive approximately $87 million in relief funds to offset the effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, with the U.S. Treasury set to disburse the money starting today.
The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan, a blockbuster stimulus and economic relief package passed by Congress and signed into law two months ago.
From that package, $86.95 million will go to Solano County to help with the re-opening of schools, distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the community, support small businesses who have struggled through the health pandemic and other public stimulus and relief initiatives.
The announcement of the disbursement of funds was made in a press release by Congressman John Garamendi’s office on Tuesday. Garamendi was one of several members of Congress to back the American Rescue Plan when it was under deliberation in March.
“Over the past year, I’ve heard from constituents and local leaders about the need for additional federal support to continue providing essential services like firefighting, public health, and public safety services,” Garamendi said in a statement. “I’ve also heard devastating stories about the impact the pandemic has had on local businesses, our community members who were laid off due to the pandemic, and from students who are having a hard time getting the most out of a virtual education.”
Garamendi said the funds will help offset some of the economic woes faced by residents, businesses and public institutions since the COVID-19 health pandemic began early last year.
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, every community in our Congressional District will receive much-needed support to recover from this pandemic and build the local economy back better than before,” Garamendi said.
Solano County’s award of the American Rescue Plan funds is the second-largest among the eight counties represented in whole or part by Garamendi. Sacramento County will receive the largest chunk of cash, with more than $301 million earmarked for COVID-19 relief initiatives there.
The overall cost of the American Rescue Plan is nearly $2 trillion, with nearly $22 billion in funds being disbursed directly to state, local and tribal governments, according to the U.S. Treasury.
Earlier this month, the Small Business Administration began accepting applications from restaurants, bars, wineries and other similar establishments for relief money from a pool of $28 billion set aside specifically for those businesses.
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