Monroe County would receive $15,376,979, out of $625 million designated for counties under the federal CARES act funding to help address impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe.

“Too many Monroe County residents and businesses are struggling right now, so this funding is going to have a major impact as our local economy starts to reopen,” Rader said. “The money will serve as a lifeline to some of the service providers and economic generators our communities rely upon that have been so hard hit by the governor’s shutdown orders over the past three months.”

The remaining funds would 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 companies.

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