Macon County will receive $833,421 in federal relief through the state after legislators passed the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act.
A total of $150 million will go to 97 counties as part of a nearly $1.6 billion relief package that was unanimously approved by the legislature on May 2 and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on May 4.
Rep. Kevin Corbin said the relief package is a victory for rural counties.
“Our entire state budget is a little over $24 billion for the year, so this represented a significant amount,” Corbin said. “With less income tax and sales tax revenue, that’s a huge impact on local government. This is to soften the blow a little. I have been advocating for local control for these issues, to decentralize from Raleigh to each county.”
The money will go directly to counties, which can use their discretion to distribute funds to municipalities.
The N.C. League of Municipalities fought against that process, arguing that towns should get the funding directly.
“It should come down to some formula for getting that straight to municipalities,” said Franklin Mayor Bob Scott. “As it’s written right now the counties don’t have to give the municipalities anything. Zero. I think that’s unfair because we’re taking as big a hit, if not a bigger hit.
“Municipalities are basically at the mercy of the counties,” he said. “We’re all in this together. It’s now the counties versus municipalities. That’s not the way it should be working.”
Even so, Scott is confident that county officials will take Franklin’s needs into consideration.
“I’m hopeful that, with the county commissioners we have right now, I feel sure we’ll get a fair shake out of it,” he said.
The bill set aside a $300 million Local Government Coronavirus Reserve. Half of that reserve is going directly to 97 counties. Mecklenburg, Wake and Guilford counties received funds from the federal CARES Act and are not eligible for the state money.
Eligible counties will receive a base payment of $250,000 with additional money allocated based on per capita population.
Jackson County will get $964,886, with Cherokee receiving $715,527, Clay $432,732 and Graham $387,338.
The money must be spent on direct coronavirus-related expenditures such as testing and buying protective supplies. There is a requirement to report the expenses.
The bill passed with bipartisan support.
“It was a unanimous vote,” said Sen. Jim Davis. “There were a lot of compromises that took place. We’re not done yet. There will probably be some budget adjustments and some more COVID-19 related bills.”
The General Assembly goes back into session on May 18.
House Bill 1043 allocates federal funding sent to the state from the federal CARES Act. It includes:
• $50 million to provide personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies
• $25 million to support enhanced COVID-19 testing and tracing
• $125 million in small business loans administered through the Golden LEAF Foundation
• $50 million in health support for underserved communities including rural areas and minority communities
• $95 million to support North Carolina hospitals
• $20 million to support local health departments and the State Health Lab
• $75 million for school nutrition programs
• $70 million for summer learning programs
• $30 million for local schools to purchase computers and other devices for students
• $6 million for food banks
• $9 million for rural broadband
• $85 million for vaccine development, antibody testing, community testing, and other COVID-19-related research at five state universities.