Rep. Boback announces $50M in federal relief funds to local counties

DALLAS — State Rep. Karen Boback Monday announced funding for three counties that she said will extend a lifeline to those who have suffered economically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boback, R-Harveys Lake, announced that more than $50 million in federal relief funds will be directed to Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 1108, which sets guidelines for the distribution of $2.6 billion in federal funds for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Under this law, Boback said Lackawanna County will receive $18.9 million, Luzerne County will receive $28.6 million and Wyoming County will receive $2.4 million.

Boback said this local funding is determined by population and is derived from a total of $625 million designated for counties to help address impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The disastrous effects of this pandemic have been felt by families and business owners across the state of Pennsylvania and, particularly, here at home in the 117th District,” Boback said. “We could never put a dollar figure on the tragic loss of life experienced by some in our community, but the economic effects of this pandemic are more easily quantifiable.”

Boback went on to say that the funding will enable the counties to take positive steps toward addressing those effects and providing economic relief at the local level.

Boback said the remaining funds will be allocated across various state agencies and departments to provide services throughout Pennsylvania.

Highlights include $225 million for a Statewide Small Business Assistance Program; $632 million for nursing homes, long-term care and personal care; $10 million for food assistance programs; and $50 million for volunteer fire companies and emergency medical service (EMS) companies.

Pennsylvania received these funds from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides necessary emergency relief to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor signed this bill into law on Friday, May 29.