THOMASVILLE — The $2 million Thomasville and Thomas County governments received in COVID-19-related funding is the last the community will receive unless Congress extends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy (CARES) Act.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a coalition of attorneys general representing 43 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories, urging Congress to extend CARES Act funding until the end of 2021.

The City of Thomasville received $969,374 in federal Phase I CARE funding.

City Manager Alan Carson said two other phases of funding were expected, but Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp directed additional funding to state coffers.

“When it hits the state, it’s no guarantee it will come down to the cities,” Carson said.

Some of what the city received went to COVID-related overtime pay for police and fire department personnel. Some will go toward updating park restrooms to make them as hands-free as possible, Carson said, adding that not all park restrooms are plumbed to allow all upgrades.

The proposed 2021 city budget includes CARES funding to assist the community.

“The City of Thomasville is including $250,000 of CARES Act funding that will be allocated to providing assistance to citizens who were adversely impacted by the pandemic,” said Carson. “In addition, we are also committed to working with our community to establish a program that will provide long-range assistance with community housing and our underserved neighborhoods.”

Some of the 2021 CARES funding will go to local non-profit organizations impacted by the novel virus.

Organizations will makes requests and a committee will decide recipients, Carson said.

Thomas County government received $2.1 million in CARES funding.

The bulk of the money went to the sheriff’s office, fire department and emergency medical service for COVID-related pay, said Mike Stephenson, county manager.

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820