MinnPost recently published an article on how (in general) rural counties are spending CARES money. People have been asking me about CARES, in part I think because broadband seems like an acceptable use for the funding and the application/distribution process has a quick turnaround. I know Dakota County and Crow Wing County were talking about CARES for technology. The MinnPost article revealed a few more…

• In Alexandria, most of the $1.05 million the city received in CARES Act money will be spent on technology upgrades for employees to work from home and to better record and stream council meetings and other city business. “Currently we can’t easily or with any quality, connect the mayor and council to the public through video,” said city spokeswoman Sara Stadtherr.
• In all, a draft plan for Moorhead’s $3.28 million would spend $1.28 million on city expenses like election support, public building improvements, telework equipment, public housing upgrades and public safety staff salaries.
• Nick Leonard, deputy administrator of Otter Tail County in west-central Minnesota, said he expects the bulk of their $7.21 million will be used on grants for small businesses and nonprofits. While the county has incurred plenty of expenses, Leonard said the county board wants the money largely to flow back into the community. A draft plan, which Leonard said was just a “starting point” for the board, earmarked $4 million for the business grant program and $1.5 million for housing food and financial assistance. Other cash was reserved for education, high-speed internet projects, public safety expenses and more.