Lincoln outlines uses of federal COVID relief money

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird gave an update Monday on how the city is spending federal COVID-19 relief money.

Lincoln received $45.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and has spent $21 million of that.

Gaylor Baird highlighted the city’s workforce development grants.

It has allocated $12 million for workforce training and capital projects. That includes $1.5 million for the American Job Center’s relocation and renovation.

The city also gave $6.8 million to 263 businesses to help them make rent and mortgage payments.

The executive chef at Dish, a restaurant in downtown Lincoln, said that program was crucial.

“I know that without this grant, without grant programs like this, Dish would not have been able to stay afloat,” Rachel McGill said.