Governor announces release of local pandemic aid

Local governments around Minnesota will be splitting $841 million in federal aid to help pay for costs incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money, part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, will be split up by Minnesota’s counties and cities based on population. Counties will get about $120 per resident, while cities will get $75 per resident and small towns $25 per resident.

A separate $12 million will be allocated toward food shelves and food banks.

Rep. Mike Sundin, who represents Carlton County in the legislature, said Carlton County will receive $4.4 million. Larger cities like Cloquet will receive $930,226 while Moose Lake will receive $210,501.

“This funding is absolutely critical for our local units of government. Their budgets have been impacted harshly by the current pandemic,” Sundin said.

The funding formula was negotiated by leaders in the Minnesota Legislature, but a bill to distribute it was left unpassed when the regular and special sessions ended the past two months. Gov. Tim Walz’s declaration of a peacetime emergency to battle COVID-19 gave him the legal authority to distribute the money.

Funds were expected to be distributed immediately on a rolling basis beginning June 29. Local governments can apply for their share of the money through forms available on the Department of Revenue’s website. All funds must be spent on approved COVID-19-related efforts by the end of the year.