Press Release: Gov. Evers Provides Update on Investments made in Public Health, Emergency Response, and Economic Stabilization

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today provided an updated accounting of federal funds invested in public health, emergency response efforts, and economic stabilization in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds were allocated by the Evers Administration from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was made available to Wisconsin through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Wisconsinites in every corner of our state,” said Gov. Evers. “We’re going to continue working to make sure that every Wisconsinite knows how these funds are being used to fight the pandemic and support families, farmers, and small businesses who need it most.”

To date, federal funds have been invested in emergency response/public health measures and economic support initiatives for Wisconsin residents, businesses, and communities. As of October 9, the state has expended $476 million and obligated an additional $479 million. An additional $919.1 million in funds have been committed but are not yet distributed. Roughly $120 million remain unallocated to ensure the state continues to have the flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

Additional information on these efforts is available on Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Investment dashboard website. The website provides transparent and regularly updated information regarding how and where Wisconsin is investing federal funding, including significant funding from the federal CARES Act.

Federal CRF dollars must be expended by the end of 2020, leaving Wisconsin and other states facing a significant cliff in available funding despite the ongoing pandemic. The Administration is continuing to make regular revisions to allocations to reflect actual costs in order to ensure Wisconsin is able to utilize funds prior to the federal deadline.

As of yesterday, Wisconsin has 173,891 positive cases of COVID-19, 9,319 hospitalizations, and 1,600 deaths due to the coronavirus. Current trends continuing to show an increase in cases in Wisconsin, requiring a continued investment in these detection and mitigation efforts.