A $377,000 grant coming to Berrien County to recoup COVID-19 costs is proving to be a bit tricky for county leaders. During a meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week, Community Development Director Dan Fette said the Community Development Block Grant has to be used in specific ways.
“We have to use the money to reimburse eligible expenses that were incurred to address the COVID pandemic, but that also directly benefited a vulnerable, low to moderate income population, and that has turned out to be somewhat of a challenge when we look at our own internal costs to see what’s qualified and what is not qualified.”
Fette noted there are many county expenses that don’t qualify. After speaking with the state, he was told the county could share the funds with partner organizations. They’re so far looking at the United Way and the Area Agency on Aging. County Administrator Brian Dissette said picking recipients will be a “dicey topic.”
“It’s going to feel to some as though we’re picking winners and losers, and we’re trying to poperate with complete transparency,” Dissette said.
Dissette says he expects plenty of interest. The county will take proposals back to the state at the end of February.
