County rapidly allocates pandemic relief

In less than two weeks, Rock County distributed $368,138.80 to 79 local businesses and non-profit organizations that made the grant requests.
Checks were mailed Friday to those who finished paperwork for the grant agreement.
Auditor-treasurer Ashley Kurtz updated commissioners Tuesday on the distribution process.
“I received a lot of positive comments,” she said. “Thankful for the quick turnaround.”
Commissioners allocated $500,000 in business grants July 7. Eligible businesses could apply for up to $5,000 to offset economical losses sustained since March 1 due to the coronavirus.
Commissioners also earmarked $175,000 to non-profits who also suffered financial losses.
A county committee met July 15 to review the 85 submitted applications, which were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Committee members requested additional information from six applications.
“They didn’t lose their spot if we had to ask for more information,” said County Administrator Kyle Oldre.
Once the information is received, the application will be evaluated for approval.
Not all entities asked for the entire $5,000 allowed per application.
“One business had it down to the cents of what they lost,” Oldre said.
Committee members anticipated that the $675,000 set aside for businesses and non-profits would be disbursed after the first committee meeting.
The committee met again Wednesday to review applications submitted since July 15.
About $306,000 is still available to eligible businesses and non-profit organizations.
Deadline to apply is Aug. 15 or until all the allocated funds are disbursed.
The county received $1.18 million of the federal CARES or Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Assistance dollars including $44,396 for Rock County communities and townships with populations under 200.
Communities and townships with populations over 200 received their own allocations.
Rock County is one of a few government entities that quickly disbursed CARES Act dollars into their communities using a grant application.
“We may be the only county in the state that has written a check,” Oldre said.
Cities and townships have until Nov. 15 to allocate CARES funds. All unallocated funds must come back to the county to be spent. Any unspent dollars by Dec. 1 are returned to the state.
The cities of Luverne and Hills have approved plans for allocating pandemic relief money (see related stories).
Other small towns and townships in Rock County have yet to take official action. Some are opting to send their funds back to the county to be distributed for broader local needs.