The Audrain County Commission completed distribution of CARES funds amounting to $2,978,519. The money was part of a federal program to help mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Associate Commissioner Tracy Graham, the county received 257 applications from businesses, nonprofit organizations and government services.

“I am happy to say that we were able to fund almost all of them,” he added.

The largest portion of funds distributed in Audrain County went toward first responders and others responsible for health and safety. Much of this amount — almost $924,000 — went toward necessary equipment, contact tracing and other programs.

Local businesses received $661,312 in assistance. The money was used in many cases to cover expenses, such as rent and utilities, that could not be paid as consumer spending dwindled.

Over $420,000 went toward reimbursing mitigation programs. The county chose to emphasize efforts that would limit the current and future risks of the virus spreading through the community. Just over $355,000 went toward the purchase of protective equipment by businesses and organizations.

The final phase of CARES disbursement benefited nonprofits. Many of these could not hold their usual fundraisers and saw coffers empty. These funds are intended to be distributed back into the community through aid to those in need, youth programs and other efforts.

“Providing aid for the local economy was a top priority, as was protecting Audrain County residents from COVID-19,” observed Presiding Commissioner Steve Hobbs. “We were able to stick to these priorities and to address the issues as well as possible.”

The amounts requested varied from less than $50 to more than $30,000. The recipients varied, as well.

All three school districts in the county received funds to help with safety and mitigation. Care centers, as well — both for protective equipment and to help with bills. The King’s Daughters Home received some $31,000, for example, while Tri-County Care Center was awarded over $33,000.

Recipients included large employers like Poet Biorefining and small shops such as Nail Tips. The Audrain County Historical Society requested CARES support, as did Anointed Life Saving Ministry, the Knights of Columbus and the fire department in Farber.

The funds covered a broad range of expenses, such as food delivery to senior citizens, disinfecting public spaces, costs to ramp up distance learning and more.

“These expenditures will have a long term positive effect for our residents,” said Associate Commissioner Alan Winders.

Allocations follow guidelines from the U.S. Treasury Department and the state Treasury Department.

Congress authorized the CARES Act on March 27 as the pandemic began to take a toll on the economy nationwide. Missouri received $2.4 billion of the $2.2 trillion package for distribution to the counties.

The state made provisions for extensions should counties be unable to distribute all of their allocated funds by the end of the year. Hobbs credits the hard work of many people for Audrain County meeting the timeline. Several organizations, including the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce and the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce, helped with the process.

“Quickly after this funding arrived at the county, we met with various stakeholder organizations to determine priorities for the use of the money,” Hobbs reported. “We appreciate the help we received from our partners.”