Brookhaven provides direct relief to residents and businesses using all CARES Act funds
Brookhaven, GA, Jan. 14, 2021— By the end of 2020, the City of Brookhaven made use of all the $6.3 million in CARES Act funds, Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Steve Chapman reported to the Brookhaven City Council during the regular businesses meeting on Jan. 12. Brookhaven used $2.2 million of these funds for direct economic support for thousands of families and over 100 local businesses. More than $1 million of the funds were used for medical expenses and public health efforts.
“I am proud of the work Brookhaven has done to meet the needs of our community. We have efficiently used all of our CARES Act funds by collaborating with many of our partners so that relief efforts could reach those most affected by this horrible pandemic,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “Although the relief we provided does not undo all the hardships of 2020, many of which will follow us through 2021, Brookhaven will continue to seek ways to provide support for our residents and businesses. If Congress is to pass another round of relief fund for local governments, Brookhaven will once again effectively and efficiently reach residents in need.”
Brookhaven was able to use all the CARES Act funds before the Dec. 30 deadline despite the delay from DeKalb County in allocating the funds to Brookhaven due to unrelated political reasons. Brookhaven received the funds in September.
In October, the City of Brookhaven worked with Georgia power to pay off overdue power bills for 2,446 residents and 110 businesses using $776,508 in CARES Act funds. The City also partnered with the Latin American Association and the Cowart Family YMCA to provide weekly food distribution events to fight the current hunger crisis using $91,144. The weekly food distributions ran through Dec. 10, serving 1,688 families and distributing 118,407 pounds of fresh food. Additionally, the City partnered with St. Vincent du Paul using $439,701 to pay off past due rent bills for Brookhaven residents. A total of 142 families received this assistance.
Brookhaven also focused its relief efforts to help local businesses; the City dedicated $245,176 for business relief efforts through a partnership with the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber provided more than 150 COVID Care Kits that included hand sanitizer, PPE, temperature gauges, and signage. A second round of kits has been ordered to be distributed soon. Also offered was a deep cleaning service for business establishments, for which approximately 85 businesses participated. Currently, the Chamber is offering $5,000 grants for restaurants that need to renew their alcohol license. So far, 18 businesses have taken part in the grant program. Interested businesses can email info@brookhavencommerce.org.
Brookhaven also used $998,596 in funds to support Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and establish a free COVID-19 testing site at the Brookhaven MARTA station parking lot, as well as, $550,000 for public health expenses, such as thermal scanners and sanitation services for public buildings.
The remainder of the funds were used for the cost of public safety during the state of emergency, necessary IT equipment for remote working, and the new drone system used by the Brookhaven Police Department.
