County distributes $1.2M grant to SPS

The Greene County Commission yesterday voted to approve its second round of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grants, with Springfield Public Schools receiving the largest amount.

SPS was chosen for a $1.2 million grant; it’s among 35 organizations that will receive more than $6 million, according to a news release. The second round covered organizations in the areas of education, health care, and nonprofit and community.

Education was the top industry recipient, with more than $3.5 million in combined grants. SPS, which is slated to use its funding for COVID-19-related expenses such as face masks and remote learning equipment, is followed by Missouri State University, which received $845,165 to conduct coronavirus tests.

In health care, Jordan Valley Community Health Center received the largest grant: $328,395 to provide vaccinations at its mobile clinic, according to the release. Catholic Charities of the Ozarks topped the list in nonprofit and community organizations. The nonprofit was picked for $306,321 to renovate the Rancho Motel for homeless housing and mortgage and utility assistance.

During the first round of funding, the Greene County Commission approved nearly $4.1 million in grants, with the vast majority given to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

The county has until year’s end to distribute $34.4 million in CARES Act funds. The county is slated to announce awards on a weekly basis.