Senator Nelson and Minnesota Senate approve compromise bill to guarantee fair distribution of federal COVID assistance

Today the Minnesota Senate approved compromise legislation that would distribute federal COVID assistance to local governments fairly and equitably. Minnesota received more than $2 billion from the federal government to help local governments, health professionals, and businesses fight COVID. That money went into an account called the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, so it could be quickly deployed to places it is needed most.

The compromise agreement distributes the local government portion of that funding – about $841 million – fairly to Minnesota counties, cities, and towns based on a formula using their population.

“Local governments stretched themselves thin preparing for COVID, including and especially Olmsted County,” said Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester). “The federal government provided important COVID assistance to help local governments recoup these losses, and communities in Greater Minnesota deserve to get their fair share of that assistance. I am proud we were able to pass this bill with such an overwhelming bipartisan vote, so Olmsted County and countless other local governments across the state can get assistance quickly.”

Olmsted County and its cities, towns, and townships all stand to benefit from the legislation:

  • Olmsted County: $19 million
  • Chatfield: $217,055
  • Dover: $57,183
  • Dover Township: $10,225
  • Elmira Township: $9,425
  • Eyota: $148,646
  • Eyota Township: $12.825
  • Farmington Township: $11,075
  • Haverhill Township: $37,450
  • High Forest Township: $25,200
  • Marion Township: $98,975
  • Orion Township: $15,475
  • Pleasant Grove Township: $20,850
  • Quincy Township: $8,700
  • Rochester: $8.84 million
  • Rochester Township: $45,775
  • Rock Dell Township: $16,875
  • Salem Township: $28,075
  • Stewartville: $469,897
  • Viola Township: $15,175

You can find full distribution numbers for counties, cities, and towns here:

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