Governor Janet Mills on Friday announced the distribution of nearly $9 million in federal grant money to 96 towns and cities in Maine that are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Mills on Friday says the money is approved for public health, education and prevention efforts. It comes after the 96 municipalities each submitted their own Covid-19 prevention and protection plans.

Many of those towns are gearing up for an influx of out-of-state visitors as the busy summer tourist season gets underway.

For example, Mills says the town of Kittery was awarded about $250,000 for things like contact-free services in public spaces, as well as the hiring of a seasonal code enforcement staff to ensure businesses are complying with new social distancing and occupancy rules.

In a statement, Governor Mills said:

“Towns and cities across Maine are on the frontlines of responding to COVID-19 and are well positioned to protect their residents and visitors alike. Maine continues to have relatively low case counts, which is a product of our collective efforts, but as we reopen the vast majority of our economy, as more people interact, and as more visitors arrive from out-of-state, the likelihood of the virus spreading also increases. These awards are a deliberate effort to help mitigate that danger by helping municipalities implement measures that will protect the health of both residents and visitors alike.”