Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry says that he will wait to spend $2 million in Federal COVID relief funds until he gets more specific regulations from the United States Department of Treasury.

Elsberry said this week that the county received its first installment from the Feds, but unlike the last round of COVID relief funds, these funds didn’t come with specific instructions.

Per the law President Joe Biden signed in March, communities can use the money for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing its negative economic impacts, premium pay for essential workers, government services affected by revenue reductions and investments in water, sewer and broadband internet infrastructure. It can include assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality. The law also is clear the money can’t be used for pensions and offsetting tax cuts.

Elsberry indicated that he would like to spend the money to improve broadband internet in the county.

The commissioner said, “There are a lot of hoops to jump through.  The last time (the county received COVID relief funds) the money came from the state.  This time it is coming from (The United States Department of) Treasury.  There a lot of hoops to jump through.”

When asked if he would get help on figuring out the rules and regulations for spending the $2 million, the commissioner said that he would rely on guidance from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.