• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • News Stories
            • CCX Daily Newcast
          • CCX News Special Reports
          • CCX Media Schools
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Newsmakers
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Instagram Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
        • Apple News
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • The Connection
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center Local News and Events
          Brooklyn Park MN Local News and Events
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Make Your Own Show
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
          • Polka Spotlight
          • Diversity Minute
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live

Local Cities Receive COVID-19 Relief Money

12:45 PM | Friday, July 10, 2020

Local cities will receive a boost thanks to nearly $600 million in aid. The money is part of the state’s allocation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act.

Local governments could begin applying for aid on June 26, with applications being submitted to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for approval. The department received and approved certifications for 64 counties, and 196 cities and townships by June 29. The state has allocated more than $596 million so far. If the money allocated to the city or municipality is not used by Dec. 10, it goes back to the state. You can read the full report here.

How much can each city receive? It’s based on a formula determined by the state legislature.

Money to be Used for New Ventilation Systems, Personal Protective Equipment, and More

Golden ValleyGolden Valley was approved for $1.6 million. The city plans to spend at least part of the funds on specialized ventilation systems for city buildings.

“We just got the ball rolling,” said Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris. “It doesn’t mean we get it. We have the ability to use up to $1.6 million and get reimbursed for it.”

The specialized ventilation systems will be installed in city hall and the public safety building and perhaps even buildings like Brookview.

However, Harris says cities are being cautious about using the funds.

“They are looking at federal guidance because what they don’t want to have happen is they spend all this money and then the federal government comes down through an audit and basically says, no you actually couldn’t do that, so you now owe us that money back,” explained Harris. “So we’re treading carefully on some items.”

New Hope also received $1.6 million and deposited the funds into a separate account that the city will use to track the funds for eligible expenses.

One of the eligible expenses the city is currently exploring is potential loans or grants for small businesses that have suffered during the pandemic. In a release to CCX News, New Hope says they will explore expenses like public safety payroll for first responders, staff time spent on duties related to the pandemic, personal protective equipment, disinfection of public facilities, installation of protective barriers and technology equipment purchased to allow employees to work from home during the pandemic.

The city is also exploring potential loans or grants for small businesses that have suffered during the pandemic, like restaurants, fitness centers, hair and nail salons.

New Hope notes that the funds cannot be used for lost revenues due to the closure of facilities, but they have been tracking costs since mid-March and will be requesting reimbursement in the future.

New Hope also plans to submit reimbursement requests to FEMA.

coronavirus relief graphic

Plymouth will use the CARES funding for reimbursing extra staff expenses, technology to provide for remote work accommodations, software/technology to provide remote access and customer service for the public, and supplies such as masks, acrylic barriers, and cleaning products.  They also likely to offer a business assistance program. The city council will discuss the funding during the council meeting on July 28 and maybe August 11.

Some Cities Anticipating Aid

Brooklyn Park has submitted paperwork and should receive confirmation soon on the amount of money they can spend. The city expects to receive $6.1 million.

“This money would reimburse the city for COVID-19 related expenses that were not included in the 2020 budget. The money will also be used to support local community organizations and businesses that were affected by COVID-19,” explained Camille Hepola, communications manager for Brooklyn Park, in a statement to CCX News.

The money will cover personal protective equipment for police and fire as well as street crews, inspectors and other staff. The city is installing protective barriers in work spaces in city facilities and on front counters. Hepola sasy the money would help cover staff time related to COVID-19 and emergency time off.

“Throughout this whole situation we are and have been thinking about the best ways to keep our community thriving and safe,” said Hepola.

Shannon Slatton, reporting

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale | Twin Cities

Related Stories

Concerns Raised Over Blue Line Extension Light Rail Project:  Project Leaders Address Concerns Raised… Read More
Brooklyn Center Council Considers Charter Changes to Adjust Mayoral Duties:  Possible Charter Changes… Read More
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Retires After 30 Years in Law Enforcement:  Brooklyn Park Police Chief… Read More
Medical Examiner ID’s Brooklyn Park Toddler Killed in Maple Grove Crash:  Officials say the… Read More
Golden Valley Animal Humane Society Rescues 23 Beagles:  Twenty-three dogs arrived at Golden… Read More
Grumpy Claude’s Food Truck Serves up Taste of the Caribbean:  Claude Alkins is in the business… Read More

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
               
 NEWS   SPORTS
 SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media serves the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2022 CCXMedia | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in