COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board on Monday approved $77.4 million to further aid Ohio’s response to the health and economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The numbers coming out of the governor’s office [Monday] and words from our regional medical leaders paint a scary picture about where we are in the fight against COVID-19,” state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, said in a news release. “These resources will continue to help the state in its response.”
The Controlling Board approved the use of federal CARES Act funds for the following items:
- $38 million to the Ohio Department of Public Safety to aid state pandemic response efforts;
- $30 million to create the COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Grant, which will allow Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning assessments and HVAC system/indoor air quality upgrades to occur at eligible nonprofit or for-profit nongovernmental nursing homes, assisted-living centers and adult day cares;
- $7 million to the Ohio National Guard to continue its support of statewide efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- $1.2 million to the Center for Science and Industry to support the Distance Learning Initiative;
- $1.2 million to the Ohio Department of Commerce to purchase technology needed for its 900 employees to effectively tele-work during the pandemic.
