CADIZ — Harrison County officials hope to secure $550,000 between two funding opportunities that could benefit multiple improvement projects in the county.

The county intends to file applications through the Community Development Block Grant program and Community Housing Impact and Prevention program — one program provides funding for community projects, while the other helps improve residential homes.

As long as Harrison County meets program requirements, it is eligible for around $150,000 of Community Development Allocation program funding, along with $400,000 of CHIP program funding. In order to obtain the grant funding, the county must hold two public meetings to provide residents with grant information and eligible projects. The first was held Wednesday during the Harrison County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Jody Hennis, grant administrator for the Harrison County Community Improvement Corp., met with Commissioners Don Bethel, Paul Coffland and Dale Norris via teleconference to discuss both funding opportunities. Hennis said the CDBG program can fund a range of projects including improvements to public facilities, public services, housing, economic development and fair housing. The projects must be designed to primarily benefit low- and moderate-income people or aid in the prevention of slum and blight.

Hennis said there are five villages and townships that are CDBG program eligible areas based on census data regarding low and middle income percentages. Those eligible areas include:

— Bowerston — 56.72 percent LMI;

— Deersville — 54.55 percent LMI;

— Harrisville — 59.62 percent LMI;

— German Township — 57.95 percent LMI;

— Washington Township — 52.29 percent LMI.

Hennis said only three projects will be included in the funding per the CDBG program.

The CHIP program can fund home repair, private rehabilitation, rental repair or rental rehabilitation activities, Hennis said.

The CIC has administered the program for more than 26 years.

“Quite a bit of funding has been spent to help improve eligible homeowners’ residences,” she said.

Those eligible to receive CHIP funding must meet criteria including being a county resident, homeowner, lived in the home for one year, up-to-date on property taxes, and meet the income guidelines, Hennis said. The income guideline states that a two-person household can make up to $41,700 annually, she added.

The next public meeting is set for May 26. A time has not yet been set.

Hennis said the application to the Ohio Developmental Services Agency Office of Community Development is due June 16. The county agency, however, needs applications from the public prior to that deadline.

“All the applications for the county entities or villages, whoever plans to apply, are due to me on April 26 before 3 p.m.,” Hennis said.

Once the CIC has received the applications, the planning commission will choose the projects to receive the CDBG funding. The funds will be awarded in early 2022.

The CHIP program applications are due June 23, Hennis said.

In other matters, County Engineer Doug Bachman made his recommendation for the Conotton Creek Trail improvement project.

The project includes the paving of more than 11 miles of the trail that runs from Jewett to Bowerston.

Last week, four bids were received for the paving project ranging in price from $655,524 up to $830,555. The bids were tabled for further review.

After reviewing the bids, Bachman recommended commissioners accept the low bid from Shelly & Sands of Zanesville for $655,524. Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation on the contingency that it is also approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is providing the funding for the project.

Commissioners will next meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the county courthouse in Cadiz.