Rescue plan money reaches county level

Just under $7 million is available from the federal American Rescue Plan Act for coping with the effects of the pandemic for Carlton County residents and entities. Economic development director Mary Finnegan, addressing the Carlton County board on Monday, announced that half of the money allotted to the county has already come in and the rest is scheduled to arrive in another year.

Passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in March, the $1.9 trillion package delivered direct payments to many Americans but also provided $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments that are struggling with increased costs and lower revenues because of the pandemic.

Local units of government such as cities and townships have to apply for the funding separately, and by Oct. 4. This is a different process than when the earlier Cares Act money was disbursed. Each local government must request its own funds.

The form to request funding is relatively simple. Finnegan offered guidance and gave her phone number, 218-340-5240, for those needing information.

Money has already been marked for certain projects. An assessment for Carlton County’s portion of $1.1 million for the Twin Lakes waterline project will be eligible for funding through the stream. Ten percent will go for administrative costs. County auditor/treasurer Kevin DeVriendt said those administrative costs may go higher than that, but only 10 percent of the costs are eligible.

Finnegan said the state has money coming in from the Rescue Plan to help landlords and renters. She said care will be taken to not overlap assistance. Special funding will be considered for areas in the county that are called “Qualified Census Tracts” dealing with poverty. More will be learned as the program unfolds.

According to Monday’s report, there are five areas are of focus in the funding:

• Public health expenses from the pandemic.

• People and businesses hit economically.

• Additional pay for employees who continued to work in an essential capacity and in harm’s way.

• Investments in infrastructure for water, sewer, and broadband.

• Loss of revenue for county services.

A diverse committee will be formed to provide input into how the relief funds are doled out, Finnegan said.

Kettle River garage

The Carlton County commissioners will host a public hearing at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the county transportation building (1630 County Road 61, Carlton) to allow residents to express views concerning the closure of the Kettle River Maintenance Facility.

The county engineer has suggested that the closure would save about $15,000 for the department budget.

Strong opposition to the move has come from townships.

“The closure of the Kettle River garage would be a severe blow to our service in our area,” said Kettle River mayor David Lucas during the council meeting Sept. 13. “We depend on that service. What savings is there to running a grader most of a half-hour heading to and back to Barnum during a single work day? We are going to lose in this plan.”

Can’t make the hearing? Written comments may be mailed: Carlton County Auditor, PO Box 130, Carlton MN 55718.

Fair was a draw

Commissioner Mark Thell reported that this year’s Carlton County fair was a big success. More than 20,000 people attended with 2,100 buying tickets for the demolition derby and 10,000 people attending on Saturday. Wonderful weather and the absence of the fair in 2020 due to the pandemic helped attendance.

Population gain

Finnegan reported Carlton County increased its population during this Census cycle. “We did our part to save one of eight Congressional seats since the population of the State of Minnesota had a margin of just eight people,” she said.