CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) announced today that $8,778,624 in federal funding has been made available for costs related to the state’s response to COVID-19 under the federal disaster declaration of March 31, 2020. This funding is an advance payment for costs to establish the community vaccination site at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
“The COVID-19 vaccination site at the Wolstein Center is an important resource in Ohio’s fight against the pandemic," said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “FEMA remains committed to expanding the rate of vaccinations in an efficient, effective and equitable manner in Ohio and across the nation, with an explicit focus on communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection."
“The mass vaccination site in Cleveland has been a game-changer in terms of making the vaccine more accessible, and Ohio is grateful for FEMA’s continued support as we move down the road to recovery," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to be vaccinated against this devasting virus, and this clinic is making a significant difference as we focus on ensuring that those in Ohio’s high risk and traditionally underserved communities have equal access to the vaccine."
“Having a mass vaccination site at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center is very important," said Sima Merick, Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “Because of its location in Downtown Cleveland, and its availability to public transportation, we are able to serve individuals who are from all walks of life. Whether individuals are underserved or have access-functional needs, with the availability of community partners at the Wolstein Center, we’re able to get shots in arms of those who so desperately need it."
FEMA provides a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. For more information about FEMA’s COVID-19 vaccine support efforts, visit www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/vaccine-support.
Source: Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
