County to get $1.8 million in new round of COVID aid

Rock County will receive an estimated $1.8 million over the next 12 months as part of the American Rescue Plan passed earlier this year.
An additional $1 million will be divided among the county’s cities and townships, according to the plan.
Rock County Commissioners learned of the allocations at their March 16 meeting after preliminary figures were released by the National Association of Counties and the League of Minnesota Cities.
Now local officials are waiting for guidance on how the money can be spent.
Previous coronavirus aid dollars were designated for personal protection equipment, monetary relief to businesses or additional salary costs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year Rock County received $1.144 million as part of the CARES Act, along with an additional $250,000 from the state earlier this year in dedicated business relief.
With the latest round of COVID relief, government officials will have almost three years to spend the funds, according to County Administrator Kyle Oldre.
“We have until Dec. 31, 2024, to spend the money,” he said.
“What we are waiting for is better guidance on what we can spend the money on,” in addition to the three categories outlined in the previous aid packages.
Cities and townships are in line to receive the following estimated dollar amounts in aid:
•Battle Plain Township, $22,093;
•Beaver Creek (city), $31,886;
•Beaver Creek Township, $42,819;
•Clinton Township, $30,748;
•Denver Township, $19,246;
•Hardwick, $20,840;
•Hills, $74,136;
•Kanaranzi Township, $27,559;
•Kenneth, $7,516;
•Luverne (city), $515,990;
•Luverne Township, $54,662;
•Magnolia, $23,687;
•Martin Township, $42,818;
•Mound Township, $28,584;
•Rose Dell Township, $22,890;
•Springwater Township, $28,014;
•Steen, $18,790;
•Vienna Township, $17,196.