The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on municipalities throughout Camden County. Local governments across the board have been under pressure to purchase vital personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, and a variety of other tools for essential employees since the start of this public health crisis. To alleviate some of these costs, the Freeholder Board received, and is allocating, federal funding for towns which will be used to supplement unforeseen costs that have been attributed directly to their operational budget. Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. described the federal funds as critical to governmental operations. Merchantville Mayor, Ted Brennan, said the funding was coming at the right time for municipalities. “This is a direct stimulus to the residents of Merchantville, providing our municipality with the ability to maintain services without increasing the cost borne by our taxpayers,” Brennan said. “The county’s support has been essential to our ability to navigate the public health aspect of this pandemic, and this assistance will be equally crucial as we respond to the fiscal repercussions that accompany it. Protecting our municipality and our residents will require a whole of government approach, and we are incredibly grateful that the Freeholder Board has chosen to offer their reinforcement and collaboration.”