BY SYDNEY HOOVER
The city, schools and businesses will see some relief from the economic distress caused by the pandemic thanks to CARES Act funding.
In total, Eudora received almost $500,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act after requesting just over $854,000. This was consistent for most of the county, with Lawrence receiving a little less than $1.5 million of the almost $2.2 million it requested.
City spokesman Jeff Rhodes said while Eudora did not receive as much as it hoped, the funding is still significant, especially for businesses in need. The city allocated $119,500 to small business assistance and will begin accepting applications this month, with the goal to distribute funds by the end of November.
Aside from that, Rhodes said the funds will go into a few other operations in the city, including technology costs incurred from working remotely and increased need for disinfecting due to the pandemic.
Furthermore, $163,000 will go toward the need for utility assistance and relief caused by economic hardship during the pandemic.
The School District was given $33,536 for reopening measures, plus $103,000 to cover costs from distance learning issues involving WiFi and technology.
The district used a portion of the money to purchase masks for staff and students, cleaning equipment, bulk hand sanitizer, and other materials needed to stay safe while in school, Superintendent Steve Splichal said.
“It's a difficult time right now trying to navigate [this],” Splichal said. “If we can [do] that by making that purchase, and that allocation helps them in even some small way, whether it's staff or students or parents, that's a good thing.”
A number of other organizations in Douglas County received aid from the CARES Act, such as Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, Bert Nash Community Mental Health and the Willow Domestic Violence Center.
Specific to Eudora, the Giving Garden received $31,175. That funding will allow the garden to move from its current location on Main Street to a new, larger plot of land just west of Eudora Baptist Church. A large chunk of that money will also go toward transporting a new greenhouse donated to the garden by a community member.
Mary Kirkendoll, one of the founders of the garden, said without the CARES funding, the expansion would never have been possible.
“I love that there's a chance for people to do good because of this,” Kirkendoll said. “And I really hope that there's a lot more people that get to have a chance like this. It’s an amazing opportunity for us.”
Reach reporter Sydney Hoover at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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