WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced today that the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Southern University in Baton Rouge are each receiving $300,000 in federal funding to assist with the response to COVID-19. The money comes from the CARES Act, which Cassidy supported.
“College students’ educations and careers are on hold while they cannot attend classes. It is critically important for them that universities reopen safely. This federal funding helps these universities prepare for the fall semester,” said Dr. Cassidy.
Both $300,000 grants were awarded by the Economic Development Agency (EDA). EDA requires that the money be spent on at least one of the following:
- Providing technical assistance to entrepreneurs, businesses and communities to assist in economic recovery efforts;
- Assisting with solutions to move courses to an online platform to support the business and entrepreneurial community;
- Supporting technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, product development and manufacturing aimed at the prevention of, preparation for, or response to the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic;
- Conducting, sharing and disseminating applied research to address challenges resulting from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic;
- Conducting, sharing and disseminating applied research to address challenges resulting from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic
- Assisting communities in identifying and supporting workforce talent through workforce training and other professional development programs.
Cassidy has been supportive of providing relief to families, individuals, schools/universities and small businesses throughout the pandemic. He recently introduced a plan for another round of stimulus checks that would, among other things, allow college students to receive a $1,000 check. Adult dependents did not receive any stimulus money from the CARES Act.
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