Applications are still being taken for coronavirus related federal funding under the CARES Act.
Laclede County Presiding Commissioner Randy Angst spoke about the federal program at last Thursday’s Lebanon Rotary Club meeting. Missouri received $2.3 billion in funding with 25 percent distributed to local governments. Laclede County received about $4.2 million.
“We certainly have a huge obligation here and the Commission intends to do our very best to make this work for Laclede County.”
He said they worked with the Missouri Association of Counties to come up with an application process.
They are currently in phase one, which is for individual, sole proprietors, small businesses, non-profits and local governments to apply for eligible coronavirus expenses incurred from March-May 31.
“It’s a 13-page application, that is not overwhelming,” he said. “It’s a general application that we use for all phases during this process, so there will be perhaps only 4-5 pages that will apply to any individual, so please do not be intimidated by the application.”
Angst said they needed a completed, notarized application with supporting documents, such as receipts.
He said the funds cannot replace lost revenue.
“There’s not any provision in the CARES Act that allows us to distribute any funds for lost revenue,” he said.
Angst said there was a period when COVID-19 significantly impacted the local economy, but Lebanon and Laclede County are now coming back strong. However some businesses had to close their doors for a period of time.
“We felt like rolling out phase one, from an economic standpoint, to get that money back into the local economy would be one of the best initial uses,” he said.
He said anyone with questions can reach out to the Laclede County Commission.
The application can be found at lacledecountyclerk.org or picked up at the Government Center.
