Roswell To Receive $12.56M From COVID-19 Relief Bill

ROSWELL, GA — The American Rescue Plan, or COVID-19 relief bill, will deliver $206.34 million to the Fulton County government and $89.14 million to North Fulton cities.

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. Biden signed it into law March 11.

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

In the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security 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 were among those committed to including 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.