Gov. Kevin Stitt said the state will be allocating approximately $250 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to Oklahoma cities and counties based on their population.

This change allows for city and county governments to access CRF dollars more quickly and with maximum efficiency.

“For the past two months, the State has closely followed guidance from the federal government in how to distribute critical Coronavirus Relief Funds to state agencies, cities and counties. After working with and observing the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on local governments, I directed our team to streamline its reimbursement process and to deliver more flexibility for getting these critical funds out the door,” said Stitt.

The State’s new CRF allocation model designates a portion of the $250 million to each city and county based on a formula of $77 per capita. The model calculates city and county populations using the latest 2019 Census estimates, and county populations solely reflect unincorporated areas.

City and county governments have until Nov. 1 to apply for reimbursement of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the CARES Act, federal funds were directly awarded to cities and counties with populations above 500,000. Tulsa (401,190) is the largest Oklahoma city or county without a direct allocation and will now receive more than $30 million from the State.  “The Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars that Governor Stitt has approved for the City of Durant are indeed a blessing during these trying times. We are grateful for the generosity of our governor,” said Durant Mayor Oden Grube. “The pandemic has left its mark on our city as well as the entire country, and we are excited to use this funding to restore the greatness the virus has taken from us.”