Rural County Priorities in the Federal Aid Package Adopted by Congress

On March 27, 2020 Congress approved, and President Trump signed, the Coronavirus Aid Release and Economic Security (CARES) package in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier in March, RCRC’s partner the National Association of Counties (NACo) sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging that any response-legislation prioritize funding for public health programs, infrastructure and telecommunications development, human services programs, and stable funding for the Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes and the Secure Rural Schools program.

RCRC’s federal affairs advocates, American Continental Group (ACG), prepared an analysis of how the contents of CARES package align with rural county priorities, including the priorities urged by NACo. To view the analysis, click here.

ACG has also prepared a new “CARES Act Relief Funds Toolkit”, available here. This document is intended to serve as a guide for businesses interested in the relief opportunities included in the CARES Act. ACG will update this resource as the Trump Administration releases further guidance on the new programs established under the CARES Act relief package.