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Higgins: Over $1 million headed to WNY public safety departments for response to COVID-19

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Sat, Apr 11th 2020 10:20 am

Erie and Niagara Counties as well as Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Cheektowaga slated for federal funding

Congressman Brian Higgins announced several Western New York communities are slated to receive a combined $1,019,019 in federal funding to assist public safety agencies with the emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“For first responders, risk comes with the job, but this virus creates a whole new level of uncertainty,” Higgins said. “They dedicate themselves to protecting us and we need to make sure they have the resources to protect themselves and the communities they serve.”

The funding was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act approved by Congress on March 27. The program offers flexibility; however, the Department of Justice suggests potential uses of the funding could include: equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), and the distribution of supplies to hard-hit areas.

New York will receive more than $17.2 million. Below is a breakdown of the funding for Western New York:

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. The awards are provided through a formula grant program that requires an application and other requirements, but is non-competitive.

For more information on relief and resources available in response to COVID-19, visit Higgins website at: https://higgins.house.gov/issues/coronavirus-disease.

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