Joplin officials say they have big plans for $13.8 million of pandemic relief funds the tornado-ravaged southwestern Missouri city received under a two-year-old federal law. Yet the latest federal records show none of the money has been spent — or even budgeted.
In fact, about 6,300 cities and counties — nearly 1 in 4 nationwide — reported no expenditures as of this spring, according to an Associated Press analysis of data released by the U.S. Treasury Department. About 5,100 of those listed no projects — either planned or underway.
Over the past couple years, it leveraged the pandemic aid to win millions of additional dollars of state grants. With the combined funds, it plans to relaunch an expired post-tornado program that helps people make down-payments on homes. The city also plans to spend millions of dollars to repair or demolish old houses.The $1.
“What you see across the country is that counties, cities, states overwhelmingly have committed these funds, are using them, are on track to meet their legal deadlines to have all the funds obligated by the end of 2024,” Sperling said. Some governments waited to do anything with the money until the Treasury Department finalized its rules in April 2022. Details are lacking on how some governments are using their funds because the Treasury relaxed reporting requirements for any money categorized by state or local officials as a replacement for lost revenues.
Those were “essential things that really needed to be done and would cost more if we waited longer to address them,” she said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This $13 Million Denver Condo Is a Sumptuous Chateau in the SkyThe 11,000-square-foot downtown aerie has 10 fireplaces, a circular breakfast room, and a 1,300-square-foot loggia.
Read more »
Saskatoon council endorses snow debt plan, new arena decision timelineThe costs of emergency snow removal over the winter came in around $18 million\u003B about $13 million was dealt with using an internal loan.
Read more »
This Scalp Treatment Makes Thinning Hair ‘Grow Like Crazy’ & It’s Just $13 Now With Our Exclusive CodeThanks to INKEY List, you don't need to overspend on a top-quality hair growth treatment. Use our exclusive discount to take 15% off this scalp treatment.
Read more »
Ron DeSantis' Campaign for President Is Costing Florida Taxpayers a Whopping $13 Million & He Hasn't Paid Them BackIt's not a great look, Ron.
Read more »
Support Local JournalismSupport Local San Antonio Journalism. Become an SA Current Member and Join the SA Current Press Club.
Read more »