By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
MACHESNEY PARK — The village will receive more than $3 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding as part of the American Rescue Plan.
Village commissioners on Monday voted to accept the federal funding. They have until the end of 2024 to allocate the money and must fully spend it by the end of 2026.
The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, is intended to provide economic relief to people, businesses and municipalities financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The law states local governments must use the funding to respond to a public health emergency, recover revenue loss, help essential workers, or invest in sewer, water or broadband. It can also be transferred to nonprofits or special-purpose units of government.
“We’re not rushing to spend those funds at this time,” Village Administrator James Richter II said of the $3,082,806.84 allocation. “We want to make a good decision with those funds and place theme where they’re most needed.”
Winnebago County received $54.8 million in American Rescue Plan funding and Rockford received $54 million.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.