Covid-19 has resulted in a substantial economic impact on Hood County and its citizens. Many of our local businesses have also felt the impact.

In response, the US Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). The state allotment of this funding totals $11.24 billion. There are 18 jurisdictions in Texas with populations over 500,000 that have received payment of $3.2 billion directly from the US Treasury. Of the remaining $8.04 billion, the Corona Relief Fund has allocated $1.85 billion to be used by local jurisdictions calculated at the rate of $55 per capita.

The combined total granted to Hood County is $3,390,365.00. All eligible jurisdictions can take a 20% draw of their disbursement and the remaining totals will be available on a reimbursement basis. The total 20% which is immediately available is $505,681.00

Through no fault of their own, some local businesses have been forced to close their doors leaving them unable to pay their bills. Local nonprofit organizations have stepped up to help fill the economic gap by providing food and other necessities and services to those in need. However, these nonprofit organizations are also suffering due to a dramatic decrease in donations.

Hood County intends to utilize its CARE ACT resources and establish the Hood County Economic Relief Fund. All local businesses and/or private nonprofits within Hood County or within the geographical limits of the incorporated city are eligible for assistance if the business has been forced to close all or part of its business due to government orders regarding covid-19.

Hood County will utilize the available 20% draw down and take $245,000 for our Hood County Economic Relief Fund to approximately assist 70 businesses within Hood County. The remaining balance of that 20% will be used to reimburse our current covid-19 expenses and utilize the rest of the CARES ACT funding to request reimbursement of salaries and future expenditures involving the response and mitigation of Covid-19.

$245,500 will be used to provide relief to small businesses and private nonprofits in the area.

$15,000 has been divided equally among the Hood County Battered Women’s Shelter, The Children’s Advocacy Center and the Senior Citizens Center.

$20,000 has been given as a one-time donation to Texas EMS.

the remaining funds will be distributed as $3,000 grants to the local businesses who were forced to shut down during the public health emergency.