State, county and local governments are gearing up for a windfall from the federal pandemic relief package that includes more than $1 billion for Maine. For county governments, the allotments could come close to equaling their annual budgets.
Maine’s most populous county, Cumberland, is expected to receive $57 million, just $3 million shy of this year’s entire budget. But the U.S. Treasury has yet to provide comprehensive details on how the money can be spent.
“The language is both specific and vague at the same time, if that makes sense,” says county spokesman Travis Kennedy.
Kennedy says there are some broad categories that could provide some flexibility, though: direct assistance to help local residents, businesses and nonprofits recover from the pandemic’s losses. They can provide extra pay for essential workers, shore up government revenue losses and pay for infrastructure investments such as water, sewer and broadband projects.
“We’re excited,” he says, “but we’re not looking at it as a savior, we’re not looking at it as a gift to Cumberland County, but we are looking at it as enormous potential for our region.”
Statewide, Maine county governments are in line for some $260 million, and municipalities are being allotted $215 million. State government expects more than $1 billion.
The federal funds will be disbursed in two installments, with the first expected to arrive in May. The feds say the money should all be spent by 2024.