Blytheville to receive $618K in CARES funding

Mississippi County and the municipalities in the county will soon be receiving Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.

The city of Blytheville will receive $618,829, which is the most being distributed to any city in the county. Under a plan approved by the Arkansas Legislative Council $75 million will be divided among the states municipalities based on state turnback and public safety funding for the counties. The plan was devised by the Association of Arkansas Counties and the Arkansas Municipal League.

The state of Arkansas received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act legislation.

The funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis to cities, towns and counties after their claims are reviewed by the state Department of Finance and Administration. All claims must be approved by CARES Act Steering Committee and the Legislative Council.

Under the funding allocations Mississippi County will receive $619,158, while Poinsett County will receive $797,257 and Craighead County $1,833,459.

Mississippi County towns should receive the following amounts. Blytheville, $618,829; Osceola, $307,315; Gosnell, $140,564; Manila, $132,403; Leachville, $78,988; Luxora, $46,670; Keiser $30,089; Dell $8,835; and Etowah $13,900.

Craighead County towns should receive the following amounts: Jonesboro, $2,664,809; Lake City, $82,484; Monette, $59,466; Caraway, $50,671; Brookland, $115,446; and Black Oak, $10,380.

Poinsett County towns are set to receive these amounts: Trumann, $289,051; Marked Tree, $101,660; Harrisburg, $91,200 and Lepanto, $79,858.

Funds must be used for COVID related expenses and all unused funds must be returned.