Mayor Krewson to Request Additional CARES Act Funding

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Mayor Lyda Krewson announced today that later this week she will ask the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, the City’s top fiscal body, to approve additional transfers and allocations of federal CARES Act funding to support and protect more families, residents, and small businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“From the moment we received our share of CARES Act funding, we acted with great urgency and were extremely intentional about getting these critical resources out into the community, especially to the most vulnerable among us. We continue to do just that and are committed to making these additional investments because we recognize a great deal of need remains as COVID-19 cases mount locally, regionally, and nationally,” said Mayor Krewson.

Mayor Krewson’s requests includes the following:

• An additional $500,000 in utility (gas/electric) assistance through a continued partnership with Cool Down & Heat Up St. Louis. This builds on Mayor Krewson’s previous investment of $3 million in CARES Act funding for utility assistance for City residents, which was announced in July. You can apply for assistance here or by calling (314) 657-1599 during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• An additional $680,000 in assistance for City childcare providers, facilities, and early childhood care through a continued partnership with the St. Louis Mental Health Board. This builds on Mayor Krewson’s previous investment of $1.5 million in CARES Act funding to help stabilize early childhood care providers and ensure this critical service for families remains safe and accessible during the pandemic.
• An additional $1.2 million in assistance for the City’s Small Business Grant Fund through a continued partnership with the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). This builds on Mayor Krewson’s previous investment of $4 million in CARES Act funding to provide $5,000 grants to support local small businesses, the hospitality industry, including restaurants/bars, and their workforce. Additional applications will begin to be accepted again upon approval of this funding.

On May 29, Mayor Krewson announced a $64 million funding package, including $35.2 million in federal CARES Act funding and other federal sources, to address the health, humanitarian, and economic needs of more than 300,000 St. Louisans. Though the Board of Alderman only passed the historic legislation on July 8, Mayor Krewson has been working intently for months across all City departments under unprecedented circumstances to ensure the prompt delivery of vital resources to thousands of people who need them the most.

The Board of E & A will consider Mayor Krewson’s requests when it meets virtually for a special meeting on Wednesday, November 4 at 11 a.m.

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