NH to receive additional $147 million in federal COVID-19 response funding, delegation says

MANCHESTER, N.H. -

New Hampshire will receive an additional $147 million in COVID-19 response funding as part of the $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law last Friday, the state's congressional delegation has announced.

The new funds are on top of a minimum level of $1.25 billion New Hampshire and each of the other states are receiving as part of the Phase 3 plan that won unanimous support in Congress after Senate Democrats blocked the initial Republican-backed plan in two votes early last week.

According to the all-Democratic New Hampshire congressional delegation, the new funds include $82.47 million for education and $37.8 million for public transportation.

The education funding includes $37.6 million for elementary and secondary schools; $36 million for higher education and $8.9 million for the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund.

In addition, the delegation said, the allocation includes:

-- $6.94 million for child care, including for health care workers who are on the frontlines of the crisis;

-- $5.45 million for public health emergency preparedness;

-- $5.54 million in additional heating assistance for low-income families and seniors;

-- $4.4 million in additional funding to support law enforcement and the prison system as they respond to COVID-19;

-- $3.26 million for state election assistance;

-- $427,000 for arts and $423,000 humanities funding; and

-- $305,000 to support manufacturing.

Sen. Maggie Hassan said the additional funding "will help address some of the most pressing needs for our families and communities," while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said, "This crisis is impacting every aspect of our society, which is why state and local officials need these resources as soon as possible to protect local communities."

U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas said the funds will help bolster crucial services and also urged the Trump administration to ensure quick delivery of the money to the state.

The delegation said additional allocations to the states through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and other legislation are anticipated.