Half of the one-time payment of $40 million in CARES Act money to Long Beach was key in balancing the city’s budget. Now city officials are ready to start spreading the other $20 million out amongst nonprofits, service providers and businesses impact by the coronavirus pandemic. A release last week defined how much is going where, and how it will be decided who gets money. Some of the programs are rolling out this week. The money, actually $40.28 million, comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It had to come through the state, though, because Long Beach is below the 500,000 population threshold to get money directly from the federal government. At its July 14 meeting, the City Council approved what it called a comprehensive, equity-based spending plan for the money. It was split up with the city’s COVID-19 response receiving $19,130,494; various types of community Support getting $14,400,000; and $6,750,000 set aside for business recovery and resiliency. The $19 million plus for city costs was part of the balanced budget the council passed at its Sept. 8 meeting. The funding plan for the rest of the money also was released on Sept. 8. […]
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