A local public transit agency has received grant funding through federal coronavirus relief legislation.

According to a statement from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office, 20 agencies providing public transit across Kentucky received a portion of nearly $23 million provided through the CARES Act, the federal coronavirus relief bill. According to the statement from Beshear’s office, the $22,894,101 in funding will help public transit agencies continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the agencies receiving funding is Sandy Valley Transportation Services, which received a total of $384,200 in funding. The amount provided to Sandy Valley Transportation is the fifth lowest among the 20 awards announced. Sandy Valley Transportation serves Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties.

Also receiving grant funding was the Harlan County Community Action Agency, which was awarded $1,032,111. The Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership, which serves Breathitt, Lee, Owsley and Wolfe counties received $603,480 in funding, and the Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency, which serves Carter, Boyd, Elliot, Greenup and Lawrence counties received $712,000 in funding.

CARES – Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security – was enacted by the U.S. Congress to stimulate the economy while much of the nation’s workforce stays healthy at home. According to the governor’s office, the funding will sustain the transit agencies by covering some operational expenses, including administrative leave for employees forced to self-isolate because of exposure to people infected with COVID-19.

Other eligible expenses include purchases of fuel and procurement of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfection services and protective barriers between drivers and passengers, the governor’s office said.

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