On Wednesday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that McCracken County will be receiving a $58,008 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant is part of the CARES Act.
The funds are being distributed by the Department of Justice's Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, and can go towards overtime pay for first responders and medical professionals, local jails, and to purchase additional personal protective equipment.
“Leader McConnell, as a former local government leader (Jefferson County Judge Executive) recognizes the serious impact a pandemic has on a local community,” said McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer. “His swift action in providing relief to counties is a tremendous help to McCracken County government and all our residents.”
As of Wednesday, organizations within McCracken County have received over $33 million because of the CARES Act. This includes $15 million for Baptist Health Paducah, $14.7 million for Mercy Health Lourdes, $2.4 million for West Kentucky Community and Technical College, nearly $1.09 million for Barkley Regional Airport, $328,255 for the Housing Authority of Paducah, and $41,580 for City of Paducah Section 8 Housing.
“The Senate took bold action to support communities battling the coronavirus crisis, and I’m proud my CARES Act continues to support strong local officials like Judge-Executive Craig Clymer who are helping lead the response in McCracken County,” said Senator McConnell. “Those on the frontlines of this crisis, including our first responders and healthcare heroes, deserve all the support we can provide. As Senate Majority Leader, I’m constantly working to deliver the resources to overcome the coronavirus crisis in Kentucky.”
Additionally, the CARES Act has had an $11 billion impact on the Commonwealth to date. The legislation has provided $3.6 billion in funds to various housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and economic development priorities. The legislation also led to the development of the Paycheck Protection Program, which has provided over 46,000 of Kentucky's small businesses with access to $5.2 billion in loans. To date, families across Kentucky have received over $3.2 billion in Economic Impact Payments from the U.S. Treasury.
