On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for several community investment programs.

“Many residents and small businesses in our community continue to struggle from the effects of COVID-19,” said Deputy County Manager Maury Thompson. “Using federal COVID funds granted to Johnson County for various community programs will only help to strengthen our community as we continue to recover from the pandemic,” said Thompson.

The board allocated $7,253,000 to fund direct community investment programs to address struggling small businesses, including diminishing childcare capacity within Johnson County. The BOCC allocated $325,000 from the Countywide Support Fund (General Fund Reserves) for a one-time direct payment to the Enterprise Center in Johnson County for a local match and assistance in administering these programs.

These programs provide small businesses, including childcare facilities, with direct financial support of $20,000 grants. Small businesses continue to struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business and childcare recovery are paramount to the economic engine in job creation for Johnson County.

The estimated number of businesses served is 350. In addition to the direct monetary support, counseling, training, capital guidance, business workshops and mentoring will be provided to engage entrepreneurs in business growth strategies.

The board also allocated $2,085,000 to fund direct community investment programs to address housing and food insecurity within Johnson County. The BOCC allocated $50,000 from the CSF (General Fund Reserves) for a one-time direct payment to United Community Services for assistance in administering these programs.

These programs address housing and food insecurity experienced by the vulnerable population that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These programs will provide case management services, including addressing immediate needs for food, clothing, hygiene items, healthcare issues and other necessities. The estimated number of individuals served is 4,000.

Lastly, the BOCC allocated $565,000 for the purpose of funding direct community investment programs to address keeping families and communities safe.

• Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee - $35,000
  This allocation of the SLFRF will provide support to the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee from Johnson County by purchasing improved technology to the meet the needs of the RHSCC and the surrounding community. More than 300 meetings and trainings are held annually with approximately 3,200 participants.
• My Resource Connection Mobile App - $120,000
  The purpose of My Resource Connection is to connect individuals needing assistance with resources that can help meet their needs. The My Resource Connection Mobile project will develop the technology to create a mobile application, enabling program staff, as well as members of the community, the ability to access this program on a mobile device. The current site has approximately 26,000 hits per month.
• Midwest Wellness - $100,000
  This project is another collaboration between the Johnson County Mental Health Center and Midwest Wellness as the site hosting this effort. These funds will allow Midwest Wellness the assistance to renovate its site, creating the opportunity to provide a clubhouse model. This program is estimated to serve 250 individuals and families in the first full year of operation.
• Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault - $310,000
  This project provides the funding for MOCSA to continue to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault in Johnson County. This program is estimated to serve 460 victims.

Various performance measures will be monitored to measure success of these programs.

Find more information and view supporting documents associated with action items 11-13.