Senator McConnell Announces Coronavirus Funding for McCracken County

Statement

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today McCracken County, Kentucky received a $58,008 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance. These federal resources, made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will be used to assist the county with its coronavirus response efforts. Senator McConnell introduced the CARES Act, which became the largest economic rescue package in American history, and led it to enactment in about a week.

The funding is being distributed by DOJ's Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, which allows local governments like McCracken County to support efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in the area. It can be used for overtime pay for first responders and medical professionals, to address the needs of local jails, as well as to purchase personal protection equipment such as masks, gloves, sanitizer, and other coronavirus-related priorities.

To date, organizations in McCracken County have received more than $33 million as a result of Senator McConnell's CARES Act, including $15 million for Baptist Health Paducah, $14.7 million for Mercy Health -- Lourdes Hospital, $2.4 million for West Kentucky Community and Technical College, nearly $1.09 million for Barkley Regional Airport, $328,255 for Housing Authority of Paducah, and $41,580 for City of Paducah Section 8 Housing.

"The Senate took bold action to support communities battling the coronavirus crisis, and I'm proud my CARES Act continues to support strong local officials like Judge-Executive Craig Clymer who are helping lead the response in McCracken County," said Senator McConnell. "Those on the frontlines of this crisis, including our first responders and healthcare heroes, deserve all the support we can provide. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm constantly working to deliver the resources to overcome the coronavirus crisis in Kentucky."

"Leader McConnell, as a former local government leader (Jefferson County Judge Executive) recognizes the serious impact a pandemic has on a local community," said McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer. "His swift action in providing relief to counties is a tremendous help to McCracken County government and all our residents."

In addition to these federal funds, the CARES Act has had an $11 billion impact in Kentucky so far. Senator McConnell's legislation has delivered $3.6 billion in relief to address urgent housing, transportation, healthcare, education and economic development priorities. His legislation also created the Paycheck Protection Program, which is helping more than 46,000 Kentucky small businesses access over $5.2 billion in loans to keep their lights on and employees on payroll. Kentucky families have also received more than $3.2 billion in Economic Impact Payments from the U.S. Treasury.

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