Harrodsburg Gets CARES Act Funding

Robert Moore

Herald Staff

rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com

Harrodsburg is one of 20 Central Kentucky governments who have been approved for $7,009,885 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19, the Department for Local Government announced last week.

Harrodsburg will receive $479,081 for payroll expenses and personal protection equipment.

“The CARES Act funds we have received already added to the remaining balance we have just requested will make a major impact on Kentucky’s oldest city and will reduce our COVID-19 shortfall for this fiscal year by about 60 percent,” said Harrodsburg Mayor Art Freeman.

The city has also applied for $131,548 for a total of  $610,629. At last week’s city commission meeting, Mayor Freeman said it would cover most of the police and fire department compensation.

Shavonna Huffman, the city clerk, said the city has had already received the first check the city hopes to receive the second check in a week or two.

Other local communities to receive CARES Act funding include Lancaster, who will use $149,543 for first responder payroll, and Nicholasville, will use $34,783 for police overtime.

“Our rural communities have seen their economies hit especially hard because of COVID-19,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. “This CARES Act funding is critical so that every Kentucky community can continue offering services upon which our neighbors depend.”

In a press release, Dennis Keene, commissioner of the Department for Local Government, said the reimbursements are essential for local governments.

“Local governments are experiencing decreases in revenue, making this funding critical while we combat COVID-19,” Keene said in a press release. “Our staff is working diligently to make the process efficient so we can get reimbursements to local governments as quickly as possible.”