WOODSFIELD — Monroe County townships are hoping for the county’s support of their attempts to obtain federal coronavirus relief funding.

While counties throughout the state each were awarded millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan funding — money that is meant to offset lost revenue and aid with infrastructure improvements — many villages and most townships were not included in the distribution.

Dale Dietrich, a Vinton Township trustee and president of the Monroe County Township Association, met with county Commissioners Mick Schumcher and Diane Burkhart on Monday to ask for their support in petitioning for the townships and villages to also receive some of the federal funds. Dietrich said there are 18 townships in the county, none of which received any of the recent federal relief funds.

“They (local townships) contribute at least 50 percent of the local health departmnetás budget, over 70 percent of the county population of (about 14,000) live in one of these townships. They maintain local cemeteries, and they support all local volunteer fire departments as they are required to protect their residents with fire protection,” he said.

Dietrich said they believe the townships should be included in the distribution of funds. He asked commissioners to contact local legislators and write a letter of support on behalf of the entities to receive assistance.

After further discussion, both commissioners agreed they would inquire into the matter and contact state Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, and state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville.

Monroe County was awarded $2,648,109 through the coronavirus relief plan. Schumacher said the county received half of that funding — $1.3 million — last week while the other half will be distributed next year. Although there are not yet any definitive plans on how the money will be spent, he said it likely will go toward water, sewer and broadband improvement projects. He said such projects seldom have proper funding, so the money will allow them to come to fruition.

Schumacher added that they are accepting proposals from county departments that have projects they would like to see receive some of the funds. He said the county Emergency Management Agency has submitted a proposal to improve the county’s 911 operating system; however, no decisions have been finalized.

Commissioners will next meet at 9 a.m. Monday in commission chambers inside the Monroe County Courthouse, 101 N. Main St., Woodsfield.