Pandemic relief money announced for outlying cities

More than $2 million combined is allocated for Oak Grove, Pembroke, Crofton and LaFayette.

Christian County’s four outlying communities — Oak Grove, Pembroke, Crofton and LaFayette — will receive a combined $2.35 million from the American Rescue Plan, state officials announced Thursday. 

The amounts allocated to each of the incorporated cities are:

  • Oak Grove — $1,895,579 
  • Pembroke — $230,214
  • Crofton — $183,084
  • LaFayette — $41,433

“Local governments have been important partners in our battle against COVID-19, and we know they have taken on great hardship and expenses to protect our people,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release. “I’m relieved our eligible city governments will receive these funds, because if we are to build a better Kentucky, we must ensure our communities are supported and positioned for growth.”

The funding is intended to help offset COVID-19 expenses, including the cost of personal protective gear, vaccination clinics, loss of revenue, payroll and other expenses. 

Previously, American Rescue Plan allocations were announced for the city of Hopkinsville ($6.74 million) and Christian Fiscal Court ($13.67 million). 

The Kentucky Department for Local Government is distributing the money. Cities will receive a portion of the money as early as next week, according to the release.

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.