Putting CARES Act Funds To Work – and What Must Come Next Share tag My city Mesa is the 35th largest city in the United States. That means my community was lucky enough to get CARES Act funding from the federal government fairly early on. Smaller municipalities – in Arizona and across the country – were not as lucky. Since the start of this devastating pandemic, America’s local elected officials have stepped up to meet the pressing needs of our residents. States and localities acted quickly and effectively to allocate and expend the overwhelming majority of funds provided through the CARES Act. However, the pandemic rages on – and our businesses and communities need new and immediate fiscal relief aid from Congress. Throughout the country, at every level, decision-makers are considering drastic cost-cutting measures with new federal support.