BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — About one-fourth of the state's allocated funding from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund will be distributed to cities and towns to help cover expenses related to local COVID-19 response efforts.
According to Gov. Charlie Baker, his administration is preparing to distribute around $715 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which authorized $150 billion for state and local governments during the pandemic, including $2.7 billion for Massachusetts.
Baker said the aid will be distributed to towns and cities to address the "incurred or expected eligible COVID-related expenses." According to the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, after subtracting amounts for Boston and Plymouth County municipalities, funds have been allocated in proportion to population.
"This aid is $502 million from the Commonwealth, and then direct support of $90 million to Plymouth County, and $121 million to the city of Boston," said Baker. "That represents about 25 percent of the total funding the Commonwealth has received from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund."
Baker said the Executive Office of Finance will work with local officials to distribute the aid, and make sure it is reported and properly documented to meet federal guidelines.
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