KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri departments of Economic Development, Agriculture and Mental Health will designate millions in federal CARES Act funding for new programs to help communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three new programs within the Department of Economic Development are being launched under the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced in a press briefing on Wednesday.
One program will be a small community operational capital loan relief program for incorporated municipalities. A small community is considered to have a population less than 25,000 people. The program, according to Parson, will give communities “access to an interim capital loan to address projected shortfalls due to COVID-19. The department of Economic Development’s finance board will oversee the program, which will have $5 million available.
The second program could provide up to $22 million for Missouri nonprofits, which Parson said have been a “lifeline” for many Missourians during the coronavirus pandemic.
“These grants will ensure that they are able to continue assisting those who need it the most,” Parson said.
The final program is a $1 million grant program for “coworking and incubator spaces.” It will, according to Parson, assist with expenses related to updating facilities to “encourage social distancing, enhance sanitation protocols and acquiring PPE [personal protective equipment].”
Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn announced the Missouri Meat and Poultry Processing Grant.
“During COVID-19, our food supply was tested from farm to fork,” Chinn said. “Farmers and ranchers saw tight livestock supplies on their farms, while consumers saw their choices of certain cuts of meat shrink or go away. In some cases, the cost of meat went up.”
The grant program will make $20 million available for small meat and poultry inspector processors. The processors must employ 200 or fewer people. The deadline to apply for grants is Aug. 31 and more information can be found on the Department of Agriculture website.
Funds can be used for expanding capacity and upgrading equipment, among other items.
Mental Health Director Mark Stringer also announced that CARES Act funding would be used for the following items in his department:
- $20 million for roughly 350 Medicaid providers for the Division of Development Disabilities.
- $17.6 million for providers of group homes and supported living services.
- $2.4 million for Day Habilitation and employment providers who lost revenue.
The funding, according to Stringer, is expected to cover losses from March 1 through Dec. 30. Those interested in receiving funding must apply by Dec. 30. More information can be found on the Department of Mental Health website.
Additionally, the department has allocated:
- $10 millions for community behavioral health care providers
- $3.5 million for integrated care telehealth training center avail for behavioral health services offered by DMH and primary care FQHCs.
- $3.2 million for telemedicine for those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- $620,000 to continue public education efforts on suicide prevention.
