Governor to disperse COVID funds to Kingman
PHOENIX – The Governor’s Office is providing nearly $600 million in coronavirus relief and recovery dollars for local Arizona governments and nonprofits as part of a funding plan announced today by Governor Doug Ducey. The plan includes $441 million in direct, flexible funding to local cities, towns and counties that did not receive direct funding earlier this year from the federal government. In addition, local governments, tribal communities, schools and more will be eligible for expedited reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for coronavirus-related expenses, including purchases of testing supplies, PPE and more.
“Our office has met with mayors and county leaders to hear directly how COVID-19 is impacting their communities, and this plan delivers for them,” said Governor Ducey. “It maximizes flexibility and prioritizes getting dollars quickly to where they’re needed most. From our cities and towns, to our hospitals, schools, tribal communities, nonprofits and more, we are all in this fight together. My thanks to all the local leaders stepping up to protect local health, restart our economy and make sure that Arizona returns stronger.”
“Kingman is working to protect residents and to facilitate business success as we reopen,” said Kingman Mayor Jen Miles. “As we work to reenergize our economy and keep people safe, these dollars will go a long way. Thank you to Governor Ducey for his leadership and for incorporating the input of local mayors and county leaders.”
AZCares Fund
As part of the plan, cities, towns and counties that did not receive direct funding from the U.S. Treasury as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will receive a direct allocation from the state. The resources will come from a new fund established by the Governor’s Office, the AZCares Fund, and will be allocated based on 2019 census data, the same methodology used by the U.S. Treasury when distributing federal CARES Act funding. Local governments may use their allocation to cover regular payroll costs of public health and public safety personnel, freeing up existing local budget capacity to be deployed elsewhere. The fund is designed to provide maximum flexibility, while minimizing red tape, so municipalities can determine how best to use the funds to meet their needs.
A full list of distributions from the AZCares Fund can be found HERE.
Arizona Express Pay Program
In addition, Governor Ducey today launched the Arizona Express Pay Program, streamlining the application process for accessing public assistance from FEMA. Eligible entities include local governments, tribal communities, state agencies, nonprofit hospitals, nonprofit long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living providers, school districts, charter school organizations, and fire districts. The program expedites delivery of resources for eligible projects related to COVID-19 response efforts and will be managed by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA)
As part of the program, the Governor’s Office will provide $150 million to expedite FEMA reimbursement requests, helping get needed relief dollars to local entities faster.
For more information about the public assistance initiative and grant opportunities for Arizona local governments, tribal communities and nonprofit organizations, including a step-by-step application process, visit ArizonaTogether.org.
