COVID-19 Information

MID-CAROLINA

Council of Governments

Creative Regional Solutions

March 30, 2020

MCCOG

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Public Assistance Applicant Briefing Schedule

The NC Division of Emergency Management has scheduled a series of COVID-19 applicant briefings over the next two weeks. These briefings will be conducted virtually via WebEx. Two duplicate rounds of applicant briefings will be offered during the weeks of March 30 and April 6. After the second round of applicant briefings are completed, more will be scheduled as needed. You only need to participate in one briefing. An on-demand briefing will be available after the week of April 6; the on-demand briefing will be posted on the NCEM Public Assistance Webpage .

COMPLETING THE APPLICANT BRIEFING IS NECESSARY TO INITIATE THE FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS . FEMA cannot begin working with you on your public assistance reimbursement requests until the you have completed the applicant briefing. If you are unable to participate in a virtual briefing, viewing the recorded briefing will satisfy this requirement.

Click here and scroll to the Word document “COVID-19-Applicant-Briefing-Schedule-Information” for more information including WebEx instructions and meeting links.

Briefing Schedule for the Mid-Carolina Region

Tuesday, March 31 , 10am until 12noon

NCEM Areas 6 and 7 – Harnett County

Thursday, April 2 , 2pm until 4pm

NCEM Areas 4 and 5 – Cumberland and Sampson Counties

Tuesday, April 7 , 10am until 12noon

NCEM Areas 6 and 7 – Harnett County

Thursday, April 9 , 2pm until 4pm

NCEM Areas 4 and 5 – Cumberland and Sampson Counties

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance (FFCRA)

The FFCRA requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division administers and enforces these specific paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply through December 31, 2020 . Click here for USDOL guidance.

$1.5 Billion in Funding for EDA in COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Bill

Last week, the Senate and House passed an economic stimulus bill ( H.R. 748 ) which includes $1.5 billion in supplemental funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA ) . This supplemental funding is intended to help mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. This bill is the third allocation of funding passed in response to COVID-19, following the passage of HR 6074 and HR 6201 . The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), MCCOG’s national advocacy organization, advocated for these economic development funds.

In addition to the supplemental funding for EDA, the bill also includes additional funding for the following priorities:

USDA Rural Development

$25 million to support distance learning and telemedicine

$100 million for the ReConnect Program to help ensure rural Americans have access to broadband
$20.5 million to support $1 billion in business and industry loans

Small Business Administration

Provides $562 million to ensure that SBA has the resources to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to businesses that need financial support during this difficult time
$10 billion in direct grants to businesses that do not qualify for the EIDL program
$17 billion to have SBA step in and make six months of principle and interest payments for all SBA backed business loans

Department of Transportation - Transit Systems

$25 billion for public transit operators to protect public health and safety while ensuring transportation access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services remain available during the COVID-19 response

HHS Health Resources Services Administration

$275 million for HRSA, including $185 million to support rural critical access hospitals and rural and tribal health and telehealth programs

Department of Homeland Security Disaster Relief Fund

$45 billion to provide the immediate needs of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to protect citizens and help them recover from the overwhelming effects of COVID-19

Department of Labor

$360 million for DOL to invest in programs that provide training and supportive services for dislocated workers, seniors, migrant farmworkers, and homeless veterans

HUD Community Development Block Grants

$5 billion to allow states, counties, and cities to respond rapidly to COVID-19 and the economic and housing impacts caused by it

Helpful Resources

CDC COVID-19 Information

National League of Cities Coronavirus Response Resources for Local Leaders

usa.gov Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19

ICMA Coronavirus Resources

NCDHHS Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response in NC

CDC Foundation Responding to Coronavirus

Cumberland County Government COVID-19 Information

Harnett County Government COVID-19 Information

Sampson County Government COVID-19 Information

City of Fayetteville COVID-19 Information

Ft. Bragg COVID Information

NADO COVID-19 Resource Center

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Mid-Carolina Council of Governments

Creative Regional Solutions

Mid-Carolina Council of Governments is a multi-county, planning, development, and human services organization. We reach across county and municipal borders to provide technical assistance to our local governments and to administer programs that benefit our region’s citizens.

Our mission is to provide creative regional solutions to relevant and emerging issues in Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson Counites while providing a standard of excellence in the delivery of federal, state, and regional services for our local governments and the people they serve.