Local communities get millions

SANDUSKY — The new COVID-19 relief bill just approved by Congress will send more than $18 million to Sandusky's city government. Additionally, it will send many more millions of dollars to other local governments. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the figures for local governments and also detailed what most individual Americans can expect to receive from Uncle Sam after President Joe Biden signs the bill. Kaptur, D-Toledo, said Sandusky's city government will get $18.5 million from the American Rescue Plan, and explained the money will be sent directly to Sandusky and won't pass through the state government, the method used when money from last year's CARES Act was sent to Ohio. The lawmaker also discussed what most Americans can expect to get. "The American Rescue Plan also provides $1,400 stimulus payments to Americans; funding for vaccine distribution; and aid to state and local governments, schools, and businesses," Kaptur said. "The plan also makes a historic increase to the child tax credit from $2,000 to $3,000 and increases unemployment benefits from $300/week to $400/week," she said. Sandusky officials said they were grateful for the money: • Ex officio mayor Dick Brady: The news we got today is literally a game-changer for the city of Sandusky. I don't think we have ever received this type of news before that will literally benefit every resident and every employee in this entire community. This is the first time during this entire COVID situation that we can exhale and breathe a sigh of relief. • City manager Eric Wobser: Sandusky was one of the hardest-hit cities in the country, financially, by COVID-19. These funds will help rebuild our foundation and continue our recent momentum. We can't thank the leadership of Congresswoman Kaptur and Sen. Sherrod Brown enough for fighting for our local communities. Wobser said Sandusky officials will have to figure out how the money can be used. Though he did say road projects, including resurfacing and reconstruction jobs, would likely take priority. "We have a lot of deliberation to understand exactly what the eligible uses are for these funds and the timing of when they can be spent," Wobser said. "The city commission has already instructed me that we need to have a deliberate process of how we spend these funds. This is wonderful news, but there is much work to do before we can determine the exact path forward." Kaptur said the new bill will also pay for a national vaccination program, including setting up community vaccination sites across the country. The bill has $170 billion for schools and $45 billion for child care providers. In addition to the $1,400 per person, the measure includes housing assistance, food assistance, an expansion of the Child Tax Credit and an improved Earned Income Tax Credit. Funding reinforcements Dollar amounts to city and county governments • Sandusky: $18.5 million • Erie County: $14.4 million • Ottawa County: $7.86 million • Vermilion: $2.04 million • Huron: $1.35 million • Port Clinton: $1.21 million • Catawba Island: $500,000 • Marblehead: $170,000 • Castalia: $160,000 • Bay View: $120,000 • Kelleys Island: $60,000 • Put-in-Bay: $30,000 Note: Figures for Perkins Township were not immediately available. Source: Office of U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur