As Carbon County continues to work through the various applications that it’s overseeing for its COVID-19 Relief Block Grant program, Commissioner Rocky Ahner on Thursday expressed concern over where some of the funds are going.

“The original thought of the county grant was to provide monies to nonprofits, businesses, etc. that did not receive any funds,” he said. “Changes in restriction were made so entities that received PPP or EIDL money were eligible for the grant, but also stated that businesses that did not receive either of those funding streams should be given ‘preference.’

“We have small businesses asking for a few dollars to survive, fire companies that didn’t stop coming to save us in an emergency and many entities that never received any funding. They should be processed and allocated first, with others who have received well-deserved funds to follow for the eligibility of additional monies.”

Committees will have approximately two weeks to review the applications before beginning to make recommendations on allocations.

“This grant is to help all businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and none should be overlooked,” he said.

After the second review is complete, the applications will go back to the Block Grant administration, and final decisions by the commissioners are expected to begin Aug. 31.

The $5.79 million COVID-19 Relief Block Grant that Carbon County received is funded through the CARES Act and is used strictly on COVID-19 related activities to offset the cost of direct county COVID-19 response; assist businesses and municipalities; provide behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services; fund nonprofit assistance programs; and deploy broadband to unserved or underserved areas.

A total of 224 entities applied for approximately $15.3 million through the grant this round.