Emporia is now officially receiving a federal Community Development Block grant to battle coronavirus.
Governor Laura Kelly’s administration announced a grant of $167,000 to Emporia. Cities and counties could apply for grant funds benefiting economic development to help local businesses retain jobs or meal programs, such as senior meals or food banks.
The Emporia grant is part of nearly $9 million in funding through the federal CARES Act stimulus package. City leaders have not specified how the money will be used.
The money is separate from dollars Emporia and Lyon County could receive after the state’s SPARK Taskforce approved $400 million in total for local governments. Under the proposal, all counties could receive at least $194 per resident, meaning Lyon County could receive over $6.5 million. Counties could also receive additional money based on their case rates and unemployment rates.
The current plan has half the county share for expense reimbursement and half as direct aid eligible expenses.
Counties have to pass a resolution affirming they will use the fund as indicated in the CARES Act. Two additional funding rounds could come later this year.
