Dartmouth could get $16.9 million from new stimulus bill

The town of Dartmouth stands to get $16.9 million in federal funding over the next two years if a new stimulus bill passes the Senate, according to a press release from Congressman Bill Keating.

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act passed the House on May 15. The coronavirus relief bill would see another $3 trillion spent on financial support for those struggling during the pandemic — including direct assistance to states and local communities to cover virus-related revenue loss.

It comes after the first $3 trillion stimulus package, the CARES Act, was passed in March, providing direct funding to cities with more than 500,000 people.

In the press release, Keating cited an analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service that estimated how much the bill would provide to Massachusetts municipalities.

According to the analysis, the Commonwealth would receive more than $12 billion in funds, with Bristol County getting nearly $318 million over two years.

Dartmouth would receive an estimated $11.2 million this year and $5.6 million next year, according to the release.

The CARES Act provided direct funding only to cities with more than 500,000 people.

Along with funding for municipalities the bill also includes another round of individual relief checks, extends expanded unemployment benefits through January 2021, broadens student loan relief, provides rental and mortgage assistance, and provides hazard pay to essential workers.

It is unlikely to pass the Senate, as reported by multiple news outlets.