E:
With the national unemployment rate at about 14%, the devastating economic impact of
the Coronavirus pandemic has been widespread. Federal relief checks of $1200 were issued to
qualifying Americans to help alleviate some of the burden. Now, the City of Valdez is cutting
relief checks of its own. KCHU’s Gabriella Palko has this story.
To listen, click play. A transcript appears below.
With only essential services up and running for the last several weeks, restrictive travel mandates, and a decimated tourist season, Alaskans are feeling the pressure. That’s where the city is trying to step in and help.
If you live in Valdez you’ve probably seen or heard the announcement about the Valdez COVID-19 Economic Relief and Recovery Initiative. It’s a three phase plan rolled out by the COVID-19 Unified Command group that “seeks to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID 19 virus and related state and local mandates”.
Phase One of the initiative is completed. Resolution 20-19 was approved by City Council on April 13, which waived interest charges for delinquent water, sewer, and refuse fees.Resolution 20-25, approved April 29th, waived interest charges for past due harbor services and city lease payments.
|
|
Now phase two is underway. Resolution 20-24 is a direct economic relief program, established by the Valdez City Council to provide a one time economic relief payment to qualifying Valdez households and businesses.
So, where does that money come from? On April 29th, council approved a draw of $2.89 million dollars from the City of Valdez Permanent Fund. This permanent fund dates back to 1977, when the owners of the trans-Alaska pipeline used the City’s bonding authority to build the pipeline and Valdez Marine Terminal. As of 2003, the most recent year stated on their
website, the fund held a market value of $86 million dollars. That money is held under the principle that the fund “shall not be spent, but shall be held perpetually in trust for the benefit of the present and future generations of Valdez residents.”
Citing the state of emergency declaration and seeking to provide economic assistance to local residents and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, City Council voted on April 29th to withdraw $2.89 million from the fund. That sum will be divided amongst qualifying
applicants for an estimated $1800. Locals can expect to be paid via paper checks issued and mailed on Friday, May 29.
According to the city’s website, every Valdez household and Valdez business is eligible to apply, even if you owe the city money, rent a room in a household, or have multiple businesses. If you applied for the 2020 Valdez Energy Assistance Program, the application is easy. Just head online and download the application, fill it out, and drop it off at a 24/7 drop box
at City hall, or slip it in the mail to City of Valdez, PO Box 307. If you didnt apply for the 2020 Valdez Energy Assistance Program, you must apply in person at the Valdez Civic Center, with a state issued ID and evidence of physical household or business location in hand. With social
distancing still in effect, the physical application hours are limited to this Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am-2pm, Thursday 2pm-7pm, and Friday 2pm-5pm. All applications are duet his Friday, May 22nd, at 5pm.
For More information head online to valdezak.gov/economicrelief , em
