Westmoreland County preps for expected $107 million stimulus windfall

Westmoreland County could receive about $107.1 million from the federal American Rescue Plan to bolster its budget and fund projects to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The allocation is part of the $13.7 billion awarded to Pennsylvania and includes funding for county and local governments, according to a report issued by the National Association of Counties. President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on Thursday, authorizing $1.9 trillion in spending.

Funds are expected to be awarded based on county population figures.

According to the National Association of Counties, Allegheny is slated to receive $382.7 million; Armstrong, $12.5 million; Beaver, $92.4 million; Butler, $32.6 million; Fayette, $25 million; Indiana, $16.4 million; and Washington, $98.1 million.

Local leaders have not received any official word as to the exact amounts that will be received as part of the stimulus, but work has started to craft a plan for its use.

“My priority is to get the money on the street ASAP,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli. “Our small businesses and nonprofits need to be at the top of our list. Depending on the restrictions and rules, hopefully we will be able to use it for broadband as well. As soon as we get confirmation on all the stipulations, we will begin to have meetings on our plan.”

Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew did not respond to requests for comment.

According to government summaries of the rescue plan, counties and municipalities can to use the funds to cover revenue shortfalls created by the pandemic, coronavirus response efforts, investments in broadband and water and sewer upgrades. States would not be allowed to use these funds to reduce taxes or add to pension funds, according to the earlier guidelines.

About half of the funds would be received this year and spending must be completed by 2024.

Westmoreland received $31.5 million last summer from the CARES Act, the initial coronavirus stimulus bill approved by Congress last spring. That money was used to issue grants to local small businesses, nonprofit agencies, municipalities and to cover pandemic-related costs incurred by the county such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, new technology and additional wages to essential employees.

Another $134,000 of those funds was used to install mobile hot spots at more than 20 county libraries to improve and enhance internet access.