Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The N.C. Pandemic Recovery Office (NCPRO) announced the closeout of $3.6 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds Wednesday, symbolizing major progress in the economic recovery process and the disbursement of federal aid. NCPRO and over 1,700 state agencies, local governments, hospitals, schools, businesses, and nonprofits have worked together to distribute these funds since the early days of the pandemic.

“Coronavirus Relief Funds were among the first to get into the hands of local leaders, at a time when we were just beginning to realize the magnitude of COVID-19’s impact on our economy, schools, government services, and healthcare system,” said Stephanie McGarrah, NCPRO executive director. “Closing this chapter is a major achievement for NCPRO’s staff and everyone who worked with us during one of the most difficult periods in our state’s history.”

Congress provided $150 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds to states, local governments, and U.S. Territories under the 2020 CARES Act. North Carolina received $3.6 billion which the General Assembly appropriated to address the state’s most urgent needs.

Funding amounts included:

♦ $1.35 Billion – State and Local Governments
♦ $826 Million – Health
♦ $664 Million – Public Services
♦ $478 Million – Education
♦ $208 Million – Business Relief and Recovery
♦ $36 Million – Individual Relief
♦ $21 Million – Infrastructure

Closing out these funds is the final step in a years-long process of distributing and tracking each dollar and providing technical guidance to recipients, all while navigating evolving federal guidance. NCPRO has now submitted its final reports to the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the North Carolina General Assembly.

Iredell County Relief