Law. Co. Coronavirus Relief Funds to aid schools, other entities

Commission now accepting applications for third round, to include nonprofits, fire departments
 
Coronavirus Relief Funds will be helping Lawrence County schools navigate the precarious waters of the pandemic as they launch the new school year.
Lawrence County Commission was able to fully fund all the grant requests that met qualifications in the second round of Coronavirus Relief Fund grants. Those awards total nearly $1.3 million, the bulk of which will go for schools’ health and safety needs and technology for distance learning.
School districts asked for things like body temperature scanners and masks; Chrome books, Internet hot spots and other technology to equip students and staff for distance learning.
The remainder is going for health and safety needs of other applicants, particularly the Lawrence County Nursing Home District.
Round 2 recipients are Aurora, Marionville, Miller, Mt. Vernon and Pierce City school districts; Trinity Lutheran School; Lawrence County Nursing Home District; Village of Freistatt; the City of Marionville Fire Department, Aurora Rural Fire District; and the Children’s Smile Center in Aurora. Both Round 1 and 2 were open to nonprofits; school districts, municipalities and other public entities. Churches were added in Round 2, but none applied. Earlier recipients also included the cities of Aurora and Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County Board for the Developmentally Disabled and Barry- Lawrence Library.
Lawrence County received just under $4.5 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. The federal government limits its uses to costs related to the pandemic response for the period March 1-Dec. 30. Lawrence County’s share will be going primarily to public health, public safety and education.
The county has allocated more than half of those funds through two grant cycles and direct spending for public health, public safety and other needs. It is trying to determine now how much to set back for whatever the county might face in the remaining five months of the year.
The commission is considering targeting some specific needs in the next round. Details will be announced in media and posted at www.lawrencecountymo.org.
 Third round relief incoming
Lawrence County Commission is targeting three specific needs in its third round of grants from Lawrence County’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. Applications will be accepted now through Friday, Sept. 4.
The application form and details can be found at www.lawrencecountymo.org/coronavirus-fund. Questions can be directed to the county commission at 417-466- 3666.
PPE, sanitizer, etc. reimbursements
Targeted to nonprofits, churches, schools and public entities located in Lawrence County to reimburse the costs of hand sanitizer, disinfectant, masks and other PPE to protect the public. This is a reimbursement grant for purchases March 1 through Aug. 31, 2020. The grant cannot be used to reimburse donated items or those that were received or reimbursed through any other program.
To apply, the applicant must provide:
(1) Completed application and documentation. This comes under #2 – Public Health Expense on page 6 of the application.
(2) Be sure to include a description of why you needed these items and how you will use them.
(3) In addition to invoices/receipts, be sure your documentation includes copies of canceled checks or other proof of payment.
Nonprofit operations
Targeted to those nonprofit community organizations in Lawrence County whose operations depend on income from a festival or other fund-raising event that has been canceled due to COVID-19. The funds must be necessary for the applicant to be able to maintain a continuation of the services it provides within the community. This is targeted to operational costs and does not include grants the applicant provides to others.
To apply, the applicant must provide:
(1) Completed application and documentation. This comes under #5 – Economic Support on page 9 of the application.
(2) A detailed narrative explaining how the economic support is necessary due to COVID-19 and why it is reasonably necessary in order to continue the entity’s functions and services to the community.
(3) Documentation for the past three years showing how much net revenue the organization normally receives from the event. (Examples: budget, bank statements, financial reports)
Fire departments
Targeted to fire departments located in Lawrence County for the purchase of an extractor washer, for turnout gear and medical call jump suits that might come in contact with COVID-19 patients. These are advance approval grants.
To apply, the applicant must provide:
(1) Completed application and documentation. This comes under #6 – Other Expenses Reasonably Necessary on page 10 of the application.
(2) A detailed narrative explaining why this is necessary due to COVID-19 and how the equipment will be used.