Indian River County nonprofits may get help from county's $31.3 million recovery-act money

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The $31.3 million the county expects in federal COVID-19 recovery assistance will go toward affordable housing, expansion of broadband services and to nonprofits and businesses hurt by the pandemic. 

Half of the money expected from the American Recovery Act — about $15.6 million — will be spent within the year, County Administrator Jason Brown told county commissioners Tuesday.

About $500,000 will be earmarked to help nonprofits that have been unable to get the same COVID-19 assistance as small businesses to keep their doors open. Commissioners had been reluctant to create a fund without set criteria to avoid appearing to favor some nonprofits over others, or using public money to support groups some may religiously or politically oppose.

"They are truly what defines us," said Commissioner Laura Moss, who had unsuccessfully advocated allocating $1 million to the small nonprofits. 

More:Nonprofits struggling from COVID-19 pandemic ask Indian River County for CARES Act money

Commissioners agreed to set tight criteria for which groups would be eligible for $5,000-$10,000 grants. Criteria could include an existing relationship with the county, evidence of activity and accounting records. The commission must approve the criteria.

An additional $500,000 will be allocated for mental health and substance abuse, a need that Commissioner Susan Adams said has increased over the past year. 

About $12 million will be spent on water/sewer and broadband infrastructure. About $4 million of it will go toward a study of the county's broadband needs and to address possible solutions, Brown said. During the pandemic, when students were learning remotely and many people worked from home, the county noticed a need, particularly in Fellsmere, Brown said. About $6 million will be used toward the planned $16 million upgrade to the South County Water-Treatment Plant and $2 million toward the county's septic-to-sewer program, he said.

More:Rental and mortgage assistance available for St. Lucie County residents affected by COVID-19

More:Indian River reverses course, now will spend entire $28 million from CARES Act for pandemic relief

About $6 million will be spent to help the county recoup revenue lost last year when programs and facilities such as the Intergenerational Building closed due to the pandemic. The county plans to spend about $4.5 million to help people impacted by the pandemic find affordable housing, including helping with downpayments for homes. About $275,000 will help promote tourism and $1 million to help small businesses recover from the pandemic, Brown said.

The program includes no mortgage or rental assistance, which still is available through the CARES Act, Brown said.

Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter. Contact her at 772-978-2235 or Colleen.Wixon@tcpalm.com.