WILLMAR—When Kandiyohi County and the city of Willmar began planning how to spend the stimulus funds each received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, both the County Board and City Council were clear where they thought the most relief was needed—small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the pandemic and related shutdown.

Each initially transferred at least $1 million of its CARES allocation to the county and city Economic Development Commission which established the CARES Pandemic Relief grant program, which has provided grants to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in Kandiyohi County. The grants were funded through the CARES Act transfers from Kandiyohi County, Willmar and several other smaller cities and townships.

Read the full article at the West Central Tribune.