BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Boardman Township could get upwards of between $7.24 million and $8.2 million in funding from the so-called $1.9 trillion stimulus relief package signed into law by President Joe Biden last week---or maybe not.
      According to the Ohio Township Association (OTA) “At the local, state and federal levels, there are conflicting reports on whether Ohio townships will directly receive funds from the American Rescue Plan (HR 1319), due to changes made between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. The bill allocates $350 billion to states and local governments.”
      “We received official word that Ohio townships (and a couple other states) are potentially not included in the latest COVID relief bill,” Heidi Fought, director of the OTA said, adding “There is an issue with a definition that has caused this problem and it could possibly depend on how the Treasury Dept. interprets the language.
      “What this means is that, unless Treasury updates its interpretation or definitions are clarified, Ohio townships would not be receiving money under this bill directly.”
      Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree told The Biardman News he has contacted U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan’s office repeatedly about the matter and as of Mon., Mar. 15, had not received a response.
      “Rep. Ryan knows this is a problem,” Loree said, adding if the township does get new stimulus funding, it is at present, unknown how that money will be spent.
      “We don’t know yet, what the rules are for spending the newest round of stimulus money,” Loree said.
      “The Ohio Township Association (OTA) is working around the clock with Ohio’s Congressional delegation and the Biden Administration to ensure that the U.S. Treasury interprets Ohio’s 1,308 townships as eligible nonentitlement units of local government for this critical funding. According to the 2010 Census, at least four million Ohioans reside in a township; relief funds are crucial to helping those communities recover from the effects of the pandemic,” Fought said.
      Under the Trump Administration, Boardman Township received about $2.1 million in stimulus funding. According to Loree, about half of that money was spent on equipment and supplies, and the rest was used to support payroll.
      According to information from the Ohio Township Association, other area townships included in the newest round of stimulus funding include Austintown, between $6.5 million and $7.817 million; Howland, between $3.367 million and $4.048 million; and Poland Township, between $2.65 million and $3.186 million.