SAVANNAH, GA: Federal emergency funding is now available to state and local agencies to use in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
The $850 million Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Solicitation, authorized in the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, was released this week by the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Affairs. The program provides funding to individual state, county and city agencies, according to the BJA announcement, and the DOJ is moving quickly to make the awards with the goal of having funds immediately available for drawdown.
“As the numbers of COVID-19 cases grow, local first responders are on the front lines meeting the needs of citizens infected by the virus and those sheltering from it,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “These funds will be a much-needed source of relief for our local partners as they continue this fight to keep our communities safe.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
Of the $850 million available nationwide, $24 million is allocated to Georgia. Of that amount, $16 million is allocated for the state to distribute. In addition, nearly $8 million is directly earmarked for individual cities and counties in Georgia, with $753,148 targeted to nine cities and counties in the Southern District, including:
- $322,805 for Savannah;
- $102,542 for Augusta/Richmond County;
- $58,008 for Chatham County;
- $58,008 for Liberty County;
- $53,088 for Glynn County;
- $48,242 for Brunswick;
- $38,651 for Wayne County;
- $36,321 for Garden City; and,
- $35,483 for Hinesville.
If any of the listed cities and counties eligible for the grants have not yet received information on the BJA’s solicitation, they can learn more by going to https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/bja-2020-18553.pdf
Any Georgia cities or counties not specifically listed can find updated information at the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council website: https://cjcc.georgia.gov/grants/covid-19-resources/federal-coronavirus-emergency-supplemental-funding-program
Citizens also are reminded to report any suspected attempts at coronavirus-related scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or at disaster@leo.gov.
