WEST MICHIGAN (WKZO AM/FM) — A dozen cities and counties in West Michigan are getting some federal help to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters announced the $8,596,660 in funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as “CARES.”
The Community Development Block Grants will help fund resources to help prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19 while the Emergency Solutions Grants will help reduce the spread of the illness among the homeless population.
The funding for the city or county is as follows:
- Battle Creek: $729,344 in Community Development Block Grants
- Benton Harbor: $250,905 in Community Development Block Grants
- Grand Rapids: $2,219,476 in Community Development Block Grants and $1,120,648 in Emergency Solutions Grants
- Holland: $191,446 in Community Development Block Grants
- City of Kalamazoo: $958,737 in Community Development Block Grants
- Kent County: $1,023,791 in Community Development Block Grants and $532,303 in Emergency Solutions Grants
- City of Muskegon: $585,238 in Community Development Block Grants
- Muskegon Heights: $260,496 in Community Development Block Grants
- Niles: $170,057 in Community Development Block Grants
- Norton Shores: $83,261 in Community Development Block Grants
- Portage: $130,474 in Community Development Block Grants
- Wyoming: $340,484 in Community Development Block Grants
In addition, the state of Michigan will also receive an additional $38 million for distribution to other local communities in the state.
“Cities and counties are on the front lines of this battle. This funding will give local governments additional resources to respond to this unprecedented threat. Communities can use these funds to meet the unique and growing needs of their communities with things like assistance to businesses, job training for health care workers, shelter for homeless people, testing, equipment and supplies,“ said Senator Stabenow.
Senator Peters also released a statement saying, “It is critical that the healthcare facilities, senior centers and food banks that serve our communities receive the resources they will need throughout this crisis, and I am encouraged that the increase in funding to the Community Development Block Grants that Senator Stabenow and I fought for as part of the CARES Act is now being distributed to communities across Michigan.”
