Nevada has received upwards of $2 billion in funding from the CARES Act, federal appropriations and grant funding to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office shows. 

The funding has been funneled into various health care agencies, community health services and programs offered by state or local government, according to the press release from the governor’s office. 

“I am proud of our agencies for their responsible use of these federal funds to respond to the pandemic and provide assistance to Nevadans. As we continue our statewide response to the COVID-19 crisis, I look forward to strong collaboration on the final use of the funds,” Sisolak said. 

The state has $687.5 million left for spending following the distribution of funds to local governments. 

Sisolak clarified the remaining money legally cannot be used to fill the budget holes the Legislature is grappling with, but said he hopes to receive more funding from the federal government to help with that issue.  

“These funds have proved incredibly valuable for Nevada’s response to the public health crisis, but due to certain restrictions on this funding, we are unable to use the funds to backfill the State’s budget shortfall and protect critical services provided to Nevadans,” Sisolak said. “As Governor, I continue to strongly advocate for the federal government to provide more flexible funding going forward.”

Priorities listed in the report for remaining spending include funding for the state health care system, education system, unemployment system, economic development support and “shared priorities for COVID-19 response,” which will be reviewed by Sisolak and the Legislature. 

The largest expenditures so far include: 

• $241 million for Medicare providers
• $88 million for enhanced testing and contact tracing
• $70 million for health care providers and community health services across the state
• $32 million in funding for Nevada’s Child Care and Development Block Grant to ensure child care options 
• $30 million to fund Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
• $8 million for community services such as home-delivered meals, care in the home and respite care for older adults and people with disabilities