Gatesville receives $1.5 million in federal recovery funding

The city of Gatesville received $1,536,398.78 on Aug. 23 as the first allocation of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The city will receive the same amount in 12 months, bringing the total allocation to just over $3 million.

According to the American Rescue Plan Act the funds can be spent on:

— Assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits, aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality

— Providing premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work

— Revenue replacement where there were losses when compared to FY2019

— Make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure

“The Finance Director and I believe the best utilization of these funds is in the category of water, sewer and broadband infrastructure – and will likely recommend to the Council that they approve accelerating one or more Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects,” City Manager Bill Parry said in an email to the Messenger Aug. 27. “We are working with the City Engineer to refine the scope and engineering on these projects and adjusting the CIP accordingly.”

Parry said he would bring the recommendations to the council at their Sept. 14 meeting.