Three Economic Development District organizations in Arizona have received grant funding to bolster plans and programs as communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US Department of Commerce has awarded $1.2 million in CARES Act funding, which is part of a $1.5 billion program signed into law by President Donald Trump, according to a press release from the EDA. 

Central Arizona Governments, Apache Junction received $400,000 that will be used in Gila and Pinal counties. The Northern Arizona Council of Governments in Flagstaff received $400,000. Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization in Bisbee received the other $400,000 that will be used in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties.

The three entities are some of the 850 high-performing grant recipients invited to apply for supplemental funding under the CARES Act.

“The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19,” Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in the press release. “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Arizona with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”