Background

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The $2 trillion economic relief package aims to protect the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. The CARES Act provides economic assistance for local governments and American workers, families, and small businesses.

Purpose

Act 24 of 2020 was signed by Governor Wolf on May 29, 2020. This legislation provides $625 million in CARES Act funding by means of block grants for counties in the Commonwealth - with populations less than 500,000 - through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This funding is strictly for support of COVID-19-related activities to offset the cost of direct county COVID-19 response; assist businesses and municipalities; provide behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services; fund nonprofit assistance programs; and deploy broadband to unserved or underserved areas.

County Application & Contract with DCED

On Thursday, June 11, 2020, DCED released guidelines for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) program. On Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the Centre County Board of Commissioners submitted an application for $14,664,804 CRBG funds. On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Commissioners approved a contract with DCED for the full CRBG fund amount and an accompanying resolution.