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Office of the Governor
JOHN CARNEY

COVID-19 Relief & Support


Governor Carney announced several initiatives to support Delaware families, Delaware workers, and Delaware small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

DE RELIEF GRANTS: $100 Million

The $100 million DE Relief Grants program will assist Delaware small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.  The program, funded by the federal CARES Act, is expected to reach more than 3,000 organizations. The size of the relief grant will be based on the business’s 2019 revenue. For more information and to find answers to frequently asked questions about the program, visit delbiz.com/relief.

DE Relief Grants can be used for:

  • Purchasing equipment to make a workplace suitable for COVID-19 safety (such as PPE, plexiglass, air purifiers, etc.)
  • Refinancing of debt incurred due to COVID-19 (including State of Delaware HELP loans)
  • Advertising efforts undertaken as a result of COVID-19
  • Fixed expenses the applicant accrued during COVID-19
APPLICATIONS: Applications for Round 1 funding are now closed. There is $30 million available in the September grant round. If you do not receive a grant this time, you can and should apply again during the two additional rounds of at least $30 million scheduled for early October and November.

 

Nonprofit Support Fund: $25 Million

The $25 million  Delaware Nonprofit Support Fund will support organizations that have provided critical services to Delawareans and Delaware families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofits may receive reimbursement for basic operational expenses – such as assistance with cleaning supplies and funding for personal protective equipment – as well as reimbursement for increased caseloads. Grant levels will be awarded based on the nonprofit’s 2019 operating expense budget. The program excludes organizations that qualify for assistance under the $100 million DE Relief Grants program, administered by the Delaware Division of Small Business.

Organizations that provide a range of important services are eligible for assistance under the Delaware Nonprofit Support Fund. Eligible services include:

  • Homelessness and shelter assistance
  • Food assistance
  • Substance abuse counseling and services
  • Assistance for Delawareans who have lost employment
  • Domestic abuse services
  • Services for youth in crisis

Additional information on this program will be available in October.

 

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE: $20 Million

Delaware will direct $20 million in CARES Act funding to build new broadband infrastructure across Delaware, gather strategic data through a statewide speed survey, and acquire equipment and services for families in financial need.

The State will also use CARES Act funds to cover equipment installation and broadband service for students from low-income households across the state for remote or hybrid learning purposes. Additional information on this program will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

HOUSING ASSISTANCE: $40 Million

Rent and mortgage assistance is available to keep Delaware families in their homes. The State of Delaware and New Castle County will contribute a combined $40 million in CARES Act funding to provide payments for qualified applicants to the Delaware Housing Assistance Program or the Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: $10 Million

Governor Carney signed Executive Order #43, creating the Rapid Workforce Training & Redeployment Initiative to assist Delaware workers and their families who have lost jobs and income due to COVID-19. The workforce development program will initially be funded with $10 million of federal CARES Act funding. Investments in workforce development were a recommendation of the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee. 

The Delaware Department of Labor will work with the Delaware Workforce Development Board to establish approved training and certification programs for unemployed and underemployed Delawareans. Training programs included in the rapid workforce development initiative will focus on in-demand occupations and skills currently demanded in Delaware workplaces. 

Delaware seeks proposals from eligible applicants to support unemployed and underemployed Delaware workers in accessing certificate and certification programs (Occupational Skills Training) and other services that are designed to meet Delaware employers’ workforce needs. 

INFORMATION SESSION: Wednesday, September 2nd from 2 – 3:30 pm via Zoom.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, September 25, 2020 – Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals as soon as possible.

 

 

Delaware Resilience Fund

Governor Carney signed signed Executive Order #44, creating the Delaware Resilience Fund Program to assist Delaware families and communities devastated by tornadoes and other severe weather in August 2020. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) will coordinate with community organizations to assist families in making qualifying repairs to homes and properties that are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. DEMA also will work with community organizations to establish a process for citizens to submit requests for aid.  

The program includes two categories: 

1. Direct Assistance of Qualifying Individuals: Individuals may qualify for direct assistance through the Milford Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) for services such as emergency home repair, insurance deductible assistance, and property cleanup to assist in making it usable. Qualification will be based on MHDC and income limit guidelines.  To apply for assistance through the Delaware Resilience Fund call MHDC at 1 (844) 413-0038.

2. Support to Volunteer Groups, Non-Profits, and Religious Organizations Assisting Recovery Efforts: Community groups that are assisting with Immediate Relief (shelter and short-term housing, basic necessities, and cleanup and debris removal) and Long-Term Recovery (such as case management, mental health/counseling, and rebuilding/construction) may apply for funding.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The application period closed on September 2, 2020. Questions may be directed to plan.dema@delaware.gov.

As part of Executive Order #44, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will rate and assess damage to roadways statewide caused by August 2020 storms. In coordination with the Delaware Office of Management and Budget (OMB), DelDOT will designate funding from its Pavement and Rehabilitation Program to repair roadways damaged by severe weather in August 2020. 





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