By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com
DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — As part of the new American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden last week, the State of Alabama is expected to receive just over $4 billion in direct aid as part of the almost $2 trillion package.
Locally, DeKalb County will receive $13.87 million from the package as part of the $350 billion allocated to local and state governments to assist municipalities devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. All funds acquired by the American Rescue Plan must be spent by 2024.
“We haven’t gotten many details, but we’re on top of it,” said DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow. “As quick as they give us some direction, we can proceed. Typically, we are given 60 days to develop a plan, and 3 to 4 years to implement it. As soon as I know something, the people of DeKalb County will also know it.”
In a statement made to the Alabama Daily News, Alabama Department of Finance spokesperson Susan Wilhelm confirmed the following allocations: $2.1 billion for a state relief fund, $951 million to county governments, $417 million for metropolitan cities, $362 million to non-county municipalities, and $192 million for a state capital projects fund. These numbers do not include the direct payments of at least $1,400 to individuals across the state, or monies received by businesses.
Alabama’s largest counties, including Jefferson ($127 million), Mobile ($80.14 million), Madison ($72.32 million), and Montgomery ($43.93 million) are set to receive the most money from the package. DeKalb’s neighboring counties also received funding from the bill with Jackson County receiving $10.01 million, Marshall County receiving $18.77 million, and Cherokee County receiving just over $5 million.
Last year, the State of Alabama received $1.7 billion in CARES Act funding, which was allocated into ten categories at the request of Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala), including business aid, education programs, municipalities and counties, hospitals, nursing homes, and other areas that have incurred financial damage from the ongoing pandemic.