Los Alamos County Municipal Building at sunset at 1000 Central Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
County Manager Harry Burgess
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
To address, and hopefully aid, the impacts of COVID-19 on Los Alamos businesses, residents and workers, Los Alamos County has applied for $3.5 million in CARES Act Funding.
County Manager Harry Burgess shared this news to attendees at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce’s Business Community Call, which was held Tuesday afternoon.
In an interview with the Los Alamos Daily Post Wednesday, Burgess said the County applied for funds to go toward three programs, which are:
- $2 million for small business continuity assistance grants;
- $750,000 for housing or rental assistance; and
- $750,000 for childcare assistance.
During his presentation, Burgess said the state received $150 million for the grant program.
Burgess said the application was due a week ago and the state is expected to respond Friday, Aug. 21. There may be a delay because the application deadline was extended. As soon as the County receives word from the state, it will advertise how to apply for these monies as soon as possible, he said.
As far as how the County is feeling about its chances for receiving the funds, Burgess told the Daily Post that staff are cautiously optimistic.
“We feel good with the application and we have a good history with the state in the completion of these grants,” he said. “However, it is dependent on how many people apply. We feel like we will be successful. We just don’t know the exact amount.”
The County has attempted to help businesses in other ways, too.
Burgess said County staff have permitted businesses, particularly restaurants, to use public rights-of-way.
He said temporary use of the rights-of-way permit process have had a quick turn-around and generally permits are issued that same day.
Additionally, liquor licenses have been extended to these areas.
In news regarding DP Road, Burgess said the County plans to begin installing next week the sewer infrastructure for the Canyon Walk Apartments, which are currently being constructed, and for the future Bluffs Apartments complex.
He added that the NNSA contractors assisted with the excavation of the hazardous waste material found on land parcels off DP Road.
“We have been working diligently and NNSA has supported us in our efforts to not delay the housing needs,” Burgess said.
Construction on the recreational capital improvement projects have been moving steadily ahead, he said.
Work is underway for the improvements at the Los Alamos County Golf Course, Los Alamos County Ice Rink and splash pad.
Burgess said the request for proposal for construction of the kiddie pool is expected to be advertised soon.
He said no current construction projects have suffered delays due to COVID-19, save the BMX track.
Burgess said the BMX track improvements have been delayed due to the contractor, who is out-of-state, deciding not to travel.
