| Greenville News
Inland counties, cities and towns are likely to receive $ 337 million in federal aid from the American Rescue Plan that President Joe Biden sanctioned earlier this week, according to figures published Friday by the South Carolina Municipal Association.
Greenville County will be the biggest beneficiary in the region. South Carolina’s most populous county officials predict they will receive just over $ 101 million.
Spartanburg County will receive about $ 62 million, while Anderson County will receive $ 39 million and Pickens County will receive $ 24.6 million.
The city of Greenville expects to receive $ 19.66 million, while the city of Spartanburg will receive nearly $ 17 million and the city of Anderson will receive $ 15.75 million.
Overall, South Carolina will receive more than $ 3.8 billion in federal money from the American Rescue Plan, which is about twice as much as it received last year from the Coronavirus Aid, Aid and Economic Security Act.
In this round of financing, state government agencies will receive about R $ 2.1 billion, according to data released on Friday.
Last year, Greenville County received $ 91 million in federal aid under the CARES Act. It was the only county in the state to receive a direct allocation of federal aid because it qualified by the population. The other 45 counties in South Carolina had to seek federal assistance with allocations established by state officials.
The $ 1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan includes $ 350 billion in direct federal aid to states, territories, tribes, counties and counties. It also includes payments of $ 1,400 to millions of Americans, some of whom will start receiving the money as early as the weekend.
The American Rescue Plan has more than twice as much money for states, counties, cities and towns than was included in last year’s CARES Act, a feature of legislation that Republicans strongly opposed.
Unlike the CARES Act, federal aid in the American Rescue Plan will be allocated directly to all cities, towns and counties. The first installment of federal aid is expected to come out in the next 60 days, with the rest coming next year, according to an analysis by the National Association of Municipalities.
Federal money can be spent in four specific areas:
► Response to the public health emergency COVID-19 or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to families, small businesses and non-profit organizations, or assistance to affected sectors such as tourism, travel and hospitality
► Provision of premium payment or subsidies for workers who perform essential jobs during the public health emergency COVID-19.
► Replacement of tax losses and other revenue reductions resulting from the public health emergency COVID-19.
► Making the necessary investments in water, sewage or broadband infrastructure.
Greenville city officials identified $ 22.6 million in eligible expenses, including $ 1.5 million in COVID employee licenses and more than $ 21 million in revenue reductions, said city spokeswoman Beth Brotherton , by email on Friday.
“Many of the city’s funds have been impacted by revenue losses, including the General Fund, Parking Fund, Zoo Fund, Hospitality Tax Fund, state taxes and accommodation venues, Event Management and the Greenville Convention Center,” said Brotherton.
She said federal aid “will help significantly” as city officials prepare next year’s budget.
Residents should not expect the inflow of federal money to lead to any tax cuts. Greenville County spokesman Bob Mihalic said the American Rescue Plan specifically prohibits government entities from using federal aid to pay for a reduction in tax rates.
– Macon Atkinson contributed to this report.
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