By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There was serious discussion over how to distribute the remaining CARES funding at the Board of Reno County Commissioners meeting Tuesday. County Commissioner Dr. Mark Steffen wanted to be sure that smaller entities that need the money most are able to get it.
"I want to feel confident that we are using those dollars to keep as many entities afloat as possible," Steffen said.
The big number among the latest round of CARES allocations was due to go to the Cosmosphere. It was originally supposed to be an additional $200,000, but County Commission chair Ron Sellers wanted to be sure all the entities got what they could while they could still use it and to be sure to use up all that the county was entitled to and not leave money on the table.
"Approve $150,000 for the Cosmosphere and put that $50,000 down to the nonprofits, because there's 27 of them and give that $164,329 to the nonprofits via the percentage that they received before."
The State Fair will have $45,918 eligible for reimbursement for wages. The Fairgrounds Foundation will get an additional $77,670. BrightHouse will get $7000.
"The nonprofits were very appreciative of this opportunity to receive money and it's helped a lot of them," Meagher said. "I can't say it has made them 100%, but I can tell you that we've had a lot of appreciation expressed."
This is all reimbursement funds for qualified losses.