Relief Effort: Cities, counties await rules on new COVID-19 funding
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PARKERSBURG -- City and county leaders throughout West Virginia are waiting to see how much COVID-19-relief money they'll receive, as well as how soon it will arrive and how it can be used.
Besides individual stimulus checks for most Americans and money for broadband, education, vaccine support, child care and more, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan approved last week by Congress includes money to be administered by Mountain State municipalities and counties.
Approximately $677 million is coming to West Virginia communities. But the U.S. Treasury Department is still crafting the rules on how the money will be distributed and guidelines for its use, said Fred Rader, community development director for the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, a governmental planning and development agency serving Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties.
"The information we have so far is not very specific," he said.
The office of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recently provided a breakdown of the estimated amounts cities and counties are supposed to receive, based on population. In the Mid-Ohio Valley, that ranges from $60,000 for the Ritchie County community of Pullman to $22.45 million for the City of Parkersburg.
But that money won't come all at once.
"As I understand it, each local government will get half that dollar amount in 60 days, and then they will have to demonstrate a need for the rest of it," Rader said.
The funding can be used to cover expenses and lost revenue related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as "necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure," according to information provided by the senator's office.
While there was some general discussion during recent Parkersburg budget hearings about how the funds could be used, Mayor Tom Joyce said Tuesday no decisions have been made, as city officials are waiting to learn the rules.
"My goal would be to spend the money in a manner that makes the most lasting impact on the community," Joyce said, adding that improving infrastructure is a good way to do that.
The 2020 C.A.R.E.S. Act has helped the city weather the pandemic so far, reimbursing $6.87 million for COVID-related expenses, including police and firefighter salaries. Those were deemed eligible because first-responders had to treat every call as a potential COVID exposure, city officials have said.
That allowed Parkersburg to build up nearly $8.5 million in its contingency fund, though reimbursements ceased at the end of 2020.
Jackson County is projected to receive $5.54 million, according to the numbers from Manchin's office. County Commission President Dick Waybright has an idea about what the top priority for its use should be.
"The COVID thing, with the kids staying home from school, pointed out the need for further broadband," he said, noting some students were unable to access the internet from home for their assignments. "We're looking at broadband as probably our greatest need."
Spencer Mayor Terry Williams said he looks forward to learning more about how the city can use the $850,000 it is projected to receive. Government entities around the state have similar needs, and Williams hopes to share ideas and collaborate with other leaders and the West Virginia Municipal League.
"I think the best way to find out is to ask questions," Williams said.
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Projected allocations
Counties
Calhoun - $1,380,000
Doddridge - $1,640,000
Gilmer - $1,520,000
Jackson - $5,540,000
Pleasants - $1,450,000
Ritchie - $1,850,000
Roane - $2,650,000
Tyler - $1,670,000
Wetzel - $2,920,000
Wirt - $1,130,000
Wood - $16,200,000
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Cities
Belmont - $360,000
Cairo - $110,000
Elizabeth - $350,000
Ellenboro - $150,000
Glenville - $600,000
Grantsville - $210,000
Hundred - $110,000
Middlebourne - $310,000
New Martinsville - $2,130,000
North Hills - $320,000
Paden City - $970,000
Parkersburg - $22,450,000
Pennsboro - $420,000
Pullman - $60,000
Ravenswood - $1,520,000
Ripley - $1,310,000
Sistersville - $530,000
Smithfield - $60,000
Spencer - $850,000
St. Marys - $740,000
Vienna - $2,690,000
West Union - $330,000
Williamstown - $1,190,000
Source: U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's office