County to get $600,000 from CARES Act

Assuming President Trump signs the new CARES Act bill into law, Sheridan County expects to get just over $600,000 in additional funds from the federal program.

County Commission Chairman Nick Siddle said commissioners learned about the new funds Monday and, believing they had to take action before Dec. 30, called an emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss disposition of the money.

But Siddle said the latest word is that the states and counties will have until March 1 to allocate the funds. Siddle said as a result, commissioners took no action Tuesday.

He said the funds will be for distribution to 501(C)(3) non-profit organizations. With more time now, he said the county will publicize the availability of funds.

Siddle said commissioners will discuss the expected funds at their staff meeting next Monday, then open the process to applications by nonprofits.

Siddle said Governor Mark Gordon was allocated $12 million as Wyoming’s share of the latest CARES Act funds, and the money has been divided among the counties based on population.