Swift County backs Benson, Appleton grants applications

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher

Swift County will contribute up to $100,000 to a multi-million project to improve broadband service in the City of Appleton through a partnership with Federated Telephone.

The county’s funds will come from the $1,797,084 it is receiving under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 over the next two years. It has already received half the funds, $898,542, with another $898,542 due in 2022.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) is the second phase of the federal government’s aid to states to help offset the deep financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on cities, counties, schools and businesses.

In addition to the funds counties received under the ARP, the State of Minnesota has funds it received as part of last year’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) received $37.6 million.

The funds were placed under DEED’s authority to provide funding to the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program....
For more on this story, support community journalism and subscribe to the Monitor-News. Call 320-843-4111.