Okanogan County, along with towns and cities in the county, will soon receive their portion of nearly $300 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds awarded to the state to address COVID-19-related costs, the Washington State Department of Commerce announced.
Okanogan County will receive $2,350,150. The Town of Twisp will receive $29,400, and the Town of Winthrop will receive $25,000.
The funds are flexible, allowing cities and counties to use their allocation for everything from public health and human services expenses to small business and economic support. Municipalities were allocated funding based on population, COVID-19 impact, and other factors. Commerce is now in the process of contracting with local governments to receive the funds.
Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to, medical and public health expenses; payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services, and similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the emergency; expenses of actions to facilitate compliance with public health measures; expenses associated with the provision of economic support in connection with the emergency; or any other COVID-19-related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government that satisfy the fund’s eligibility criteria.
Brewster, Conconully, Coulee Dam, Elmer City, Nespelem, Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, Pateros, Riverside, and Tonasket will all receive funds ranging from $25,000 to $148,000.
