×

Public gets its say on CDBG funding in Monroe County

WOODSFIELD — The first of two public hearings regarding potential funding for community improvement projects in villages and townships in Monroe County was held Monday morning.

The county is eligible for around $900,000 between two grants through the Community Development Block Grant program this year, and multiple municipalities have shown interest in securing some of the funds for projects that will aid their communities. The CDBG program helps fund projects that improve low- to moderate-income communities throughout the country.

Mary Jo Westfall, associate of the Ohio State University Extension Office, conducted the hearing during the Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting; around 10 village and township representatives attended. She said she was expecting more in attendance but felt the snow may have stopped people from coming.

Westfall said the meeting was meant to inform the public of the available funds and provide information to those who may be interested in applying.

“They (attendees) were all there to learn more and they all have possible projects,” she said.

Westfall said the Allocation Grant provides $150,000 for up to three projects, while the Neighborhood Revitalization Grant is a maximum of $750,000 for one targeted area. She said Commissioners Mick Schumacher, Bill Bolon and Diane Burkhart will select the target area for the NRG funds in the next two weeks. Some areas that have shown interest in applying for the funds include Sardis, Antioch and Graysville, along with the Ohio & Lee Water & Sewer, which is looking to obtain funding for an estimated $34 million wastewater project.

Applications for the Allocation Grant are due March 4.

“The following Monday I will be sitting down with commissioners to go over all the projects,” Westfall said, adding that once the projects are selected and the application is submitted, officials will have secured the funds for those projects.

“So long as we pick projects that are eligible. The other one (NRG) is competitive.”

The county is eligible to apply in every even numbered year and the grant runs for two years, she said. In 2020, the target area selected for the funding was Center Township, including the village of Woodsfield. Projects included street improvements, flood and drainage improvements, paving of the walking trail, replacement of 14 fire hydrants, and repairs to the Monroe Theatre.

The objective of the CDBG program is to fund activities or projects designed to primarily benefit low- or moderate-income people or to aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight, according to the state.

“They (applicants) have to meet the national objective, which is benefiting 51 percent or more of low- to moderate-income,” Westfall said.

The next public hearing is slated for June. The final list of projects will be announced during the meeting with the public being able to make comments prior to it being submitted to the state. Commissioners make the final decision on the projects that will be submitted for the application.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today