Many in La Crosse waiting for COVID relief funding

They have more people wanting money than there is money to go around. 

It’s a problem for the city of La Crosse, as it distributes community development block grants specifically tied to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Caroline Gregerson, the city’s community development coordinator, says the $518,000 grant approved for La Crosse back in March went fairly quickly, with 59 of 114 applicants receiving parts of that grant.    

Gregerson is still hoping to find relief for the people who didn’t get funds in the first round, before accepting applications for the next grants that become available.  

Many businesses in La Crosse have opened up again, since the state lifted a stay-home order last week. 

Gregerson says for many companies, the bills for rent and utilities don’t stop coming when the money doesn’t come in.     The initial grant of $518,000 for La Crosse for COVID-19 relief was divided between 59 applicants.  Gregerson says more than 50 other parties requested money, and she’s working on getting assistance to them.      

The grant approved by Washington in March was aimed primarily at helping small businesses, and some child care needs, and La Crosse is also working on relief for homeless residents during the pandemic.