GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES $31 MILLION IN
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS
38
communities receive funding for housing and infrastructure upgrades, child care
and public service programs
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Friday, July 26, 2013 – Governor Deval
Patrick today announced that 38 cities and towns across the Commonwealth will
receive $31 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to
support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local
infrastructure.
“When we invest in infrastructure
projects in our communities, we put people to work and leave a better
Commonwealth for the next generation,” said Governor Patrick. “We thank
the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for their continued
commitment to investing in our future.”
The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available
resource for neighborhood revitalization projects and helps meet the housing
and public service needs of low- and moderate-income communities while building
and repairing infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents.
The infrastructure projects help communities create and maintain jobs while
providing important improvements to the lives of residents in each city and
town. Historically, 40 percent of CDBG funds distributed have been used for
these job-creating projects.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by DHCD to cities and
towns in Massachusetts with populations of less than 50,000. Eligible
communities with populations greater than 50,000 receive program funding
directly from HUD. Communities may apply for CDBG funding for activities
including: housing rehabilitation projects, infrastructure repair or
replacement, construction or rehabilitation of public facilities, neighborhood
improvement projects, economic development loans and other business assistance
programs, social service upgrades, downtown improvement projects and
architectural barrier removal and planning. The maximum grant for a single
community is $900,000. Regional applications are accepted.
“The Community Development Block Grants are critical for
improving the quality of our municipalities,” said Undersecretary for the
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Aaron Gornstein. “Not
only will this funding revitalize communities by spurring economic development,
but it will also create jobs throughout Massachusetts.
“Community Development Block Grants provide vital support for
cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“These grants will help working families and small businesses, and encourage
economic development. I'm committed to fighting in Washington to preserve and
strengthen this critical program, and will continue to support efforts to
revitalize communities throughout Massachusetts."
"We will strengthen lives and families as we strengthen
neighborhoods throughout the Commonwealth with these CDBG grants,” said Senator
Edward Markey. “This important funding will create and support jobs rebuilding
homes and businesses and will help our local governments revitalize their
communities."
“The over $5 million in CDBG grants the 9th district
is receiving will be a huge help to our communities and hard-working families,”
said Congressman Bill Keating. “These funds will be put towards the
rehabilitation of housing in six towns, as well as childcare assistance
programs and social service programs such as local food pantries and domestic
violence assistance. These grants are a perfect example of how federal
funds can directly impact and improve the lives of our citizens. I applaud
Governor Patrick for his swift and thoughtful distribution of the federal funds
received by the Commonwealth.”
“CDBG grants give local governments the ability to make smart, strategic
investments in programs they know will work for their communities,” said
Congressman Joseph Kennedy. “From rebuilding homes to creating new educational
opportunities for children and shoring up local infrastructure: this money will
support critical growth and revitalization efforts in the 4th District
and across the Commonwealth.”
“CDBG funding is absolutely essential to help our local communities prosper and
grow,” said Congressman James McGovern. “We must continue to fight efforts
in Washington to slash funding for this program. I commend the Patrick Administration for
their commitment to this effort and look forward to seeing these resources in
action in the 2nd District.”
"As a former Mayor, I know how important CDBG funding is
for cities and towns across Massachusetts," said Congressman Richard Neal.
“The program is an effective tool that allows communities to invest in their
future. Without this federal assistance, many public projects that help improve
the quality of life for the residents of our state would never be initiated. I
am certain that this $31 million will encourage additional economic development
and help create jobs.”
“Thanks to these federal investments,
cities and towns like Salisbury can continue to address key housing and
transportation priorities,” said Congressman John Tierney. “CDBG funding
supports precisely the kind of efforts that strengthen and improve our local
communities and create jobs. We must continue to make these kinds of investments.”
“Community Development Block Grants are some of the most
valuable tools cities have to promote economic development, address
infrastructure, and respond flexibly to local challenges,” said Congresswoman
Niki Tsongas. “Since coming to Congress, I have strongly supported funding the
CDBG program at the level necessary to meet community needs, recently joining
my colleagues in urging House support for the program. CDBG is one of the
federal government’s most cost effective programs, enabling communities in my
district, in Massachusetts and across America to leverage their resources to
quickly respond to emerging needs.”
“The Community Development Block Grants program is a terrific
partnership between federal and state government to support the revitalization
of our communities and create local jobs”, said State Senator James Welch. “I am excited that
West Springfield is among the grantees and look forward to seeing these improvements.”
“This funding will help to complete many important projects that
we would otherwise not have been able to accomplish,” said Representative
Michael Finn. “I’m grateful for Congressman Neal and Governor Patrick for
working with me to help secure this funding for the residents of West
Springfield.”
This year’s Community Development Block
Grant Awards:
*(jt) indicates a joint application between the listed cities
and towns.
|
Community
|
Grant Amount
|
Activities
|
|
ADAMS
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (10 units); Park Street roadway, sidewalk, drainage, water,
and sewer improvements
|
|
AGAWAM
(jt) East Longmeadow
|
$753,977
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (10 units); electrical upgrades and window replacement
at Agawam Housing Authority property (Colonial Haven); door replacement
and security upgrades at East Longmeadow Housing Authority property (Quarry
Hill); engineering and design for Springfield Street (Agawam) sidewalks and
crosswalks; ADA Self-Assessment and Transition Plans
|
|
AMHERST
|
$450,000
|
Amherst
Community Childcare Center flooring improvements; Southeast Street sidewalk
improvements; First Time Homebuyers' Program to benefit 4 LMI; Housing
Authority rehabilitation; social services (food pantry, Big Brother/Big
Sister mentoring program, Center for Human Development family outreach,
Emergency Shelter and assistance services)
|
|
AVON,
West Bridgewater
|
$809,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (26 units); social services (senior outreach worker)
|
|
BELLINGHAM,
Hopedale
|
$742,500
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (24 units); ADA Self-Assessment and Transition Plans
|
|
BERNARDSTON,
Conway, Shutesbury, Sunderland
|
$1,100,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (22 units); social services (meals on wheels program)
|
|
BOURNE
|
$891,351
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (12 units); downtown sign and façade program
|
|
CHELSEA
|
$900,000
|
Distressed
properties initiative - acquisition and renovation of 3 foreclosed units;
Blossom Park improvements; Targeted Code Enforcement; social services (Centro
Latino citizenship program, ESOL instruction, after-school/summer program)
|
|
CHESTER
|
$587,611
|
Maple
Avenue/Maple Street roadway and sidewalk improvements
|
|
CHESTERFIELD
(jt) Cummington, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg
|
$1,100,000
|
Housing
rehabilitation (22 units); social services (childcare subsidies, elder
health, elder in-home living assistance, family counseling, food pantry)
|
|
CLINTON
|
$892,285
|
Senior Center;
streets and sidewalks assessment and planning study
|
|
DENNIS
(jt) Harwich
|
$808,784
|
Housing
rehabilitation (20 units); social services (childcare assistance)
|
|
EASTHAMPTON
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (4 units); Everett/Grant Street Neighborhood roadway,
sidewalk, drainage, water and sewer improvements
|
|
EDGARTOWN
(jt) Aquinnah, Chilmark
|
$816,369
|
Housing
rehabilitation (20 units); social services (childcare assistance)
|
|
EVERETT
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (5 units); Bow, Dane, Langdon, Orient, Jacob Streets roadway
and sidewalk reconstruction; social services (elder self-sufficiency
services, legal services, youth homelessness prevention, adult literacy, food
pantry)
|
|
FAIRHAVEN,
Middleborough
|
$894,657
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (8 units); Elliot Lane (Fairhaven) roadway, sidewalk,
drainage, and water improvements; Sproat and Park Streets (Middleborough)
roadway and sidewalk improvements
|
|
GARDNER
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Redevelopment (55 units); Pleasant, Connors/Knowlton (Phase II) Streets
roadway & sidewalk reconstruction; Jackson Playground improvements;
social services (FTHB, employment training for veterans)
|
|
GREENFIELD
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (8 units); Hillside neighborhood sidewalk reconstruction;
commercial district Slum and Blight inventory; Acquisition and demolition (2
units); social services (adult literacy, food pantry, substance abuse
counseling, ESOL, youth employment training)
|
|
METHUEN
|
$800,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (12 units); downtown sign and façade program; social services
(adult literacy, childcare scholarships, youth services, transportation
assistance)
|
|
MONTAGUE
|
$426,406
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (4 units); Millers Falls Village center slums and blight
study; Turners Falls Historic Industrial District slums and blight study;
Senior Center planning study; social services (meals on wheels, early
literacy education and care)
|
|
NORTH
ADAMS
|
$900,000
|
Public
facilities improvements to create youth center in former armory; demolition
(2); design for a park; ADA improvement Alcombright Complex; social services
|
|
NORWOOD,
Bridgewater
|
$753,977
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (10 units); electrical upgrades to Housing Authority property
(Washington Heights); Bridgewater Downtown community development plan
|
|
OAK
BLUFFS (jt) Tisbury
|
$959,045
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (24 units); social services (childcare assistance)
|
|
ORANGE
|
$650,000
|
Cheney and
East River Streets drainage and sidewalk improvements; social services
(advocacy and parenting support services for mentally disabled)
|
|
PALMER
|
$430,899
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (3 units); South High Street sewer improvements; social
services (domestic violence prevention)
|
|
RUSSELL,
Chester, Middlefield
|
$1,000,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (5 units); Pine Hill Road (Russell) water improvements;
Middlefield Senior Center roof replacement; social services (case management
and support services, food pantry, adult education center, domestic violence
prevention task force)
|
|
SALISBURY
|
$500,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (2 units); Lincoln Avenue Neighborhood water improvements;
social services (Boys and Girls Club, emergency assistance program)
|
|
SHELBURNE
(jt) Buckland
|
$687,373
|
Highland
Village Housing (Shelburne) ramp and sidewalk improvements; Sears Street
(Buckland) roadway, sidewalk, drainage, and water improvements; social
services (food pantry)
|
|
SOUTHBRIDGE
|
$900,000
|
Housing
rehabilitation (3 units); infrastructure design to McCann Field; Chestnut and
Main Streets infrastructure improvements; social services (youth tutoring
services, adult literacy)
|
|
SPENCER,
North Brookfield
|
$798,982
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (17 units); Spencer property assessment and re-use planning;
North Brookfield East Side neighborhood infrastructure planning
|
|
TEMPLETON
|
$538,272
|
Memorial
Street roadway, sidewalk, drainage and water improvements; social services
(senior outreach worker)
|
|
TRURO
(jt) Provincetown, Wellfleet
|
$850,367
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (21 units); social services (childcare assistance)
|
|
WALES
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (6 units); Woodland Heights storm drainage and roadway
improvements
|
|
WARE (jt)
Hardwick, Warren
|
$984,380
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (20 units); distressed properties assessment and re-use
planning study; social services (adult literacy, domestic violence prevention
task force, family support services)
|
|
WAREHAM
|
$900,000
|
Housing
rehabilitation (5 units); Wareham Village roadway, sidewalk, drainage and
streetscape improvements; social services (food pantry, special needs youth
scholarship program, domestic violence program, comprehensive services for
homeless)
|
|
WEBSTER
|
$900,000
|
Negus Street
roadway, sidewalk and water improvements (Phase 2); Riverwalk construction
project
|
|
WEST
SPRINGFIELD
|
$900,000
|
Housing
rehabilitation (13 units); code enforcement; Memorial neighborhood sidewalk
improvements; social services (ESOL, camp scholarships, Head Start, family
self-sufficiency counseling, homebuyer education)
|
|
WINCHENDON
|
$900,000
|
Housing
Rehabilitation (5 units); North Vine Street roadway, drainage, water and
sewer improvements
|
