Nassau Legislature Approves $62.9 Million COVID Relief Package

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — The Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved a $62.9 million aid package proposed by County Executive Laura Curran to help the area recover from the coronavirus. The package will fund small business grants, improve water infrastructure and invest in Nassau's communities.

Not included in the package is a $100 million proposal by Curran to send direct payments of $375 to roughly 300,000 Nassau homeowners.

"This bipartisan plan will deliver relief for small businesses, revitalize main streets and downtowns, strengthen Nassau’s water and sewer infrastructure while supporting workforce development, senior citizens, veterans, and youth," Curran said in a statement. "I want to thank [Senate] Majority Leader Schumer and our federal representatives for securing these funds for Nassau, the Legislature for swiftly taking up this legislation, and members of my Economic Advisory Council for helping the county identify needs and meet them."

The funding for the plan comes from $200 million the county received from the federal American Rescue Plan. The majority of the money — about $32.5 million — will be spent on economic recovery programs. The second-largest allocation is $17.9 million for community investment, followed by $9 million for water infrastructure improvements and $3.5 million for education technology.

“As our region continues to recover from the pandemic, Nassau County took a key step today toward delivering crucial support for initiatives that will strengthen our small businesses, protect the environment, and bolster important health and social services programs that benefit Nassau County’s veterans, seniors and youth,” said Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams.

The full breakdown of the spending is:

Economic Recovery

• Boost Nassau Main Street Small Business Grant Program: $10 million
• Boost Nassau Small Business Loan Program: $10 million
• Workforce Development: $10 million
• Boost Nassau Resource Center Technical Assistance Partner: $1 million
• Boost Nassau Resource Center Staffing, Supplies, Ad buy: $500,000
• Boost Nassau Tourism Program: $500,000
• Technical Assistance Grants to Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement Districts: $500,000

Community Investment

• Health and Services Grant Program: $10 million
• Behavioral Health Support: $3.4 million
• Expansion of Office of Aging Programs: $2.1 million
• Expansion of Youth Services: $1.4 million
• Veterans Support Programs: $1 million

Water Infrastructure

• Septic System Replacement Fund Program: $3 million
• Multi-Year Regional Groundwater Conservation Program: $6 million

Educational Technology

• Assistance to School Districts: $2.5 million
• Consulting Assistance: $1 million

"The relief package passed by the legislature yesterday will go a long way in helping our seniors, small businesses, veterans, first responders and working-class families recover from the financial burden brought on by the pandemic," said Legislator Bill Gaylor. "The [Republican] Majority will continue to monitor the spending to make sure it is allocated fairly throughout the county and is reaching those who need it the most."