Main Street in Superior, Arizona

The CARES Act opened up federal funds for many U.S. cities, but only those with populations of more than 500,000 could apply. As Congress prepares another coronavirus relief package, mayors from small Arizona towns are calling for access to funding.

The mayors of Flagstaff, Tolleson, Superior and Douglas say waiting for federal relief to be dispersed to states, then to smaller municipalities creates a lag time their citizens can’t afford.

Mila Besich, mayor of Superior, said big cities may have more coronavirus cases, but says her city is facing budget shortfalls.

Continued: