North Fulton Cities To Receive $89.14M From COVID Relief Bill

NORTH FULTON, GA — The American Rescue Plan, or COVID-19 relief bill, will deliver $89 million to North Fulton cities for lost revenue, protect frontline workers and maintain public services.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package, which was proposed by President Joe Biden to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.

These funds can be used to replace lost revenue, maintain public services like firefighters and police, and protect frontline workers.

Here’s the breakdown of direct relief by cities:

• Alpharetta: $21.18 million
• Johns Creek: $26.65 million
• Milton: $12.47 million
• Roswell: $12.56 million
• Sandy Springs: $16.28 million
• Fulton County: $206.34 million

Roswell Mayor Lori Henry said her top priorities are to, "protect the health, wellbeing, and livelihoods of residents and businesses in the City of Roswell."

The funds Roswell will receive with the passage of the American Rescue Plan are vital in addressing the hardships that have impacted our community as a result of the pandemic," Henry said. "Local oversight of these funds is crucial because we are closest to people and businesses we serve. Our greatest hope is for our citizens and businesses to receive the resources they need to keep themselves and their families healthy and more financially secure, while also supporting the economic vitality and sustainability of our city. We are grateful that this federal relief will help us achieve these goals."

In the CARES Act, cities with populations over 500,000 were the only recipients of direct federal funding from the government. In Georgia, that made Atlanta the only city to get this funding.

Other cities had to rely on the governor’s discretion to allocate funds given to the state, with many saying they did not receive adequate funding.

U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock fought to include direct funding for cities, towns and counties in the American Rescue Plan.

In late January, Ossoff co-sponsored legislation to include this direct funding in the bill, with the support of mayors across the state.

“As I’ve spoken with mayors and local leaders across Georgia, it’s clear that Georgia’s smaller cities, counties, towns, and rural communities have not received the federal support they need and deserve," Ossoff said. "I am fighting for funding to sustain vital local services and save jobs across Georgia, and will keep communities updated of progress as I fight for inclusion of this funding for local communities in upcoming COVID relief legislation."

The Georgia Municipal Association applauded the inclusion of the measure, sending a letter from more than 240 Georgia local leaders representing 136 cities.