TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA (WOAY) – The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors approved nearly $1.2 million dollars to assist in the operating and preventative costs related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“The Board is grateful to have these federal funds to insure critical government services continue,” said County Administrator Eric Young. “They also were very happy to be able to help agencies that provide healthcare, food security, and other critical services to our residents during this crisis.”
The funding will be used to cover expenses such as procurement of PPE, operational changes required to meet CDC guidelines, cleaning supplies, overtime for public safety and COVID-19 rapid testing machines.
The recommendations were made by a committee appointed by the Board on June 25th, consisting of community leaders, town managers and health care professionals. The group was lead by Supervisors Margaret Asbury and Thomas Lester.
“We’re committed to supporting our towns, nonprofits and healthcare providers impacted during this crisis,” said Asbury. “They are on the front lines of protecting our community and we must ensure they are properly equipped. We are appreciative of the sacrifices these men and women make on a daily basis to keep our community safe.”
“The Board is keenly aware that governmental and human service agencies not just in Tazewell County but across the country are struggling to keep up with the demands of COVID-19,” said Lester. “This funding is intended to help in the battle against the virus. As a community, we can do our part by following CDC guidelines in an effort to slow the spread and help elevate some of the stress being placed on these organizations.”
The committee recommended and the board approved $1,168,440.94 in funding to aid the following organizations:
Governmental Agencies
- Tazewell County Commissioner of Revenue
- Tazewell County Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Tazewell County Department of Social Services
- Tazewell County Emergency Management Services
- Tazewell County Public Service Authority
- Tazewell County Public Library
- Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office
- Town of Bluefield
- Town of Cedar Bluff
- Town of Pocahontas
- Town of Richlands
- Town of Tazewell
Nongovernmental Agencies
- Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens
- Bluefield College
- Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital
- Center for Christian Action, Inc.
- Citizens for the Arts (CART)
- Clinch Valley Community Action/VITA
- Clinch Valley Medical Center
- Cumberland Mountain Community Services
- Good Samaritan Food Pantry
- Historic Crab Orchard Museum
- TASK/Taking Action for Special Kids
- Tazewell County Airport
- YMCA/Four Seasons
As of August 22nd, a total of $1,718,440.94 of the $3,541,757 in CARES Act funding has been spent. The Board plans to distribute another $1,000,000 of CARES funds to assist small businesses this fall, after receiving a report from a specially formed committee later this month.
