GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS $27.5 Million for 54 Communities for Housing and Infrastructure Upgrades, Child Care, Public Service Programs
GREAT BARRINGTON – Friday, July 18, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced that 54 cities and towns from across the Commonwealth will receive $27.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local infrastructure. Governor Patrick made the announcement in Great Barrington, where over $800,000 will be used for housing rehabilitation and an infrastructure design project in the Housatonic Village.
“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.
“These Community Development Block Grant awards will provide our cities and towns with federal funding to help families and small businesses, and to revitalize our neighborhoods," said Senator Elizabeth Warren. "CDBG funding is an important way the federal government can be a strong partner for our local communities across the Commonwealth. I will continue to do everything I can in Washington to preserve and strengthen this critical program.”
“For 40 years, the CDBG program has been an invaluable tool for local and state governments as they undertake the transformative projects necessary to strengthen and revitalize local communities,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “In my district, CDBG funding has supported local neighborhood projects, housing developments, and parks, while also creating and retaining jobs.”
“Community Development Block Grants are some of the most valuable tools cities have to promote economic development, modernize 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, joining a coalition of my colleagues in urging Congressional 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. These funds will help provide affordable and secure housing to families in the Third District, and can create construction jobs that boost the local economy and help put people back to work, making them an excellent investment in our communities.”
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (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 Grant program has been instrumental in promoting growth in cities and towns by creating and supporting jobs and improving the health and safety of our residents," said Senate President Therese Murray. "These funds will go a long way in assisting the Town of Bourne in my District as well as municipalities all across the Commonwealth. I want to thank the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Housing and Community Development for their ongoing commitment to revitalizing our neighborhoods."
Massachusetts has made over 350 grants totaling $265 million during the Patrick Administration. For every $1 of CDBG funds, an estimated $3.55 is leveraged in non-CDBG funding.
“The Community Development Block Grants are critical for improving the quality of life for low and moderate income resident across the state,” said DHCD Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein. “Not only will this funding revitalize communities by spurring housing renovations and economic development, but it will also create jobs throughout Massachusetts.”
This year’s Community Development Block Grant Awards:
ABINGTON and WHITMAN will receive $780,216 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 18 units and to support local food pantries.
ATHOL will receive $895,533 for improvements to Grove and Highland Streets and to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to eight units.
BOURNE will receive $361,306 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to four units and to provide a downtown sign and façade assistance program to eight businesses.
CARVER and HALIFAX will receive $758,067 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 17 units and provide childcare assistance to approximately 15 families.
CHELSEA will receive $900,000 for improvements to Watts Street, housing rehabilitation assistance for eight units, code enforcement, and social service assistance to include after school/summer programs, ESOL and citizenship training.
DENNIS and HARWICH will receive $854,931 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 50 families.
EASTHAMPTON will receive $416,732 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 10 units and for an infrastructure design project for the Admiral Street neighborhood.
EDGARTOWN, AQUINNAH and CHILMARK will receive $869,884 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 21 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 30 families
EVERETT will receive $900,000 for infrastructure improvements to Jacob Scharf Park, housing rehabilitation assistance for five units, microenterprise assistance to eight businesses and social service assistance to include elder self-sufficiency, homelessness prevention, ESOL, youth services and a food pantry.
FAIRHAVEN will receive $725,329 for improvements to Francis Street and to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to two units.
GARDNER will receive $900,000 for the Mill St. factory demolition, housing rehabilitation assistance for five units, for a public facilities design project and to support homebuyer education, job training, literacy and medical transportation services.
GREAT BARRINGTON and SHEFFIELD will receive $803,100 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 15 units, for an infrastructure design project in the Housatonic Village and for an accessibility design project at Sheffield Town Hall.
GREENFIELD will receive $900,000 for sidewalk repair to Washington Street, housing rehabilitation assistance for 12 units, and to support services related to homelessness prevention, food/nutrition, substance abuse and elder services.
HARDWICK will receive $800,000 for improvements to Taylor, High and Main Streets and Joslyn Road; and to support assistance services related to domestic violence and senior services.
HEATH, ASHFIELD, CHARLEMONT and HAWLEY will receive $1,099,877 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 22 units and provide heating assistance to approximately 160 eligible households.
LEICESTER and CHARLTON will receive $758,056 to make accessibility improvements to Charlton Town Hall, for design of accessibility improvements to Leicester Town Hall, to make improvements at the Rainbow Terrace in Leicester and Meadowview Drive in Charlton public housing complexes and to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to two units.
METHUEN will receive $417,295 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to eight units and support childcare assistance, adult literacy, youth, and transportation assistance services for eligible residents.
MONTAGUE will receive $823,626 for roadway improvements to Avenue A, to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to four units, for an Avenue A, Phase II design project and to provide early literacy education services.
NORTH ADAMS will receive $900,000 for improvements to a community center, demolition of vacant buildings, capital improvements, senior center and historic properties plans and social services.
OAK BLUFFS and TISBURY will receive $879,466 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 55 families.
PALMER will receive $876,925 for a playground rehabilitation project, to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to three units and support domestic violence prevention services.
ROCKLAND will receive $860,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 14 units and to provide a Rockland Center sign and façade assistance program to 13 businesses.
RUSSELL, CHESTER, HUNTINGTON and MIDDLEFIELD will receive $1,063,467 to provide housing rehabilitation to 15 units, construct a sidewalk on Basket Street in Huntington, conduct accessibility planning in all four towns and support case management and support services, food pantry operations, an adult education center and a domestic violence prevention task force.
SALISBURY will receive $850,000 for improvements to Lincoln Avenue and Howard George Court, to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to four units, to support the local Boys and Girls Club and provide an emergency assistance program.
SHELBURNE, BUCKLAND and COLRAIN will receive $946,197 for improvements to Prospect and River Streets, to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to six units and to support a food pantry.
SPENCER will receive $712,695 for improvements to Mechanic Street and an infrastructure design project for Chestnut Street.
SOUTHBRIDGE will receive $900,000 for Chestnut Street infrastructure improvements, rehabilitation assistance for three units and design for the central parking lot project.
TEMPLETON and HUBBARDSTON will receive $701,156 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 16 units and senior outreach and fuel assistance services to eligible residents.
TRURO, PROVINCETOWN and WELLFLEET will receive $818,712 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 33 families.
WARE will receive $799,984 for improvements to High Street, an infrastructure design project for Prospect Street and support for a local domestic violence prevention task force.
WAREHAM will receive $900,000 for public facilities rehabilitation to the Christopher Donovan Day School, housing rehabilitation assistance for 15 units, open space and recreation planning and support for a food pantry, homelessness prevention, at-risk youth, a respite program and transportation services.
WARREN, HARDWICK and WARE will receive $905,176 for improvements to Pleasant Street, to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to six units and adult learning services to eligible area residents.
WEBSTER will receive $900,000 for reconstruction of Church Street, construction of the Frederick Street parking lot and development of the Riverwalk.
WEST SPRINGFIELD will receive $900,000 for sidewalk replacements in the Memorial neighborhood, housing rehabilitation assistance for 13 units, code enforcement and support for family self-sufficiency and homebuyer programs, ESOL, camp scholarships and Head Start.
"These important investments across Western Massachusetts will help build our communities and cement Governor Patrick's eight year record of investing in the whole state,” said State Senator Benjamin B. Downing. “I am thrilled to see these projects funded and look forward to working with the communities to maximize the impact."
“This Community Development Block Grant funding is critical to repair Francis Street in Fairhaven, which has issues with drainage and lacks consistent sidewalks and curbs,” said State Senator Mark Montigny. “Recent flooding has only emphasized the urgent need for these repairs. Additionally, Fairhaven will use some of this grant money for housing rehabilitation assistance, which addresses a significant priority. I’m pleased to work with the Governor’s office and Fairhaven town officials in securing this much-needed funding.”
“The Commonwealth continues to make substantial investments to improve the quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth through revamped housing units and access to services such as childcare, transportation and homelessness prevention,” said State Senator Marc R. Pacheco. “I am pleased these grants will help create jobs and strengthen the support network in Southeastern Massachusetts to help more people get back on their own two feet.”
"These grants are great investments in the future of these towns," said State Senator Stan Rosenberg. "I congratulate the communities on their winning proposals."
“This grant is so critical to revitalization in the City of Methuen,” said Representative Linda Campbell. “It simultaneously provides more affordable housing, combats drug trafficking and engages the community in improving our quality of life. I thank and commend Governor Patrick for bringing these grants to the Commonwealth; they are very effective tools in revitalizing our Gateway cities.”
“Over the last six years Community Development Block Grants have completely revitalized the Salisbury Square area and continues to encourage economic development in this district and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Representative Michael A. Costello. “Salisbury will benefit from more vibrant neighborhoods, additional jobs and with stronger communities by continuing its longtime partnerships with vital social organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Pettengill House.”
"I want to congratulate the seven towns in my district on receiving these grant awards, and also thank Governor Patrick for recognizing the special needs of small, rural communities for these kinds of smart investments,” said Representative Stephen Kulik. “The people of Ashfield, Buckland, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montague and Shelburne will all benefit from more than $3 million of spending on housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure and social services projects that will help to build and sustain stronger and more resilient communities."
"This is wonderful news that five Island towns received funding for housing rehabilitation assistance and childcare vouchers from Community Development Block Grants,” said Representative Timothy R. Madden. “There is always a need for these types of services on Martha’s Vineyard. Christine Flynn, from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, does a fantastic job coordinating the application process and it’s great to see the regional collaboration between the Island towns."
"This is great news for the people of Berkshire and Franklin Counties, said Representative Paul Mark. “I applaud the Governor for his continued commitment to our small, rural communities here in western Massachusetts. This grant money is much needed and I know it will be put to good use."
“I want to thank Governor Patrick, Senator O’Connor Ives, Representative DiZoglio and Representative Campbell for their great work with the Community Development Block Grant,” said Representative Frank A. Moran. “I am especially pleased that Methuen will receive $417,295 for adult literacy, rehabilitation, and transportation assistance.”
“I am pleased to see these worthy projects from my district getting this funding,” said Representative Smitty Pignatelli. “This money will have a great impact on these undertakings, that have been years in the making. I’d like to send my thanks to Governor Patrick for his commitment to community development, especially out here in the Berkshires.”
“This announcement by the Governor is wonderful in so many ways as it allows the City to continue work on our Community Center, provide funding for social service Agency projects and programming, help us to drive our recently adopted CDBG funded Master Plan ‘VISION 2030’ and many other community endeavors,” said North Adams Mayor Dick Alcombright. “I thank the Governor and all who administer this grant that so greatly benefits our City and our residents.”
“The City of Greenfield is grateful for the strong advocacy demonstrated by Governor Patrick and DHCD for housing rehabilitation funds through the Community Development Block Grant program,” said Greenfield Mayor William F. Martin. “These funds are critical for small towns to address social and infrastructure issues that may not be provided without such a program. For Greenfield, the CDBG team is led by Director Alice Connelley, who not only completes the application and monitors for compliance but serves as team leader on all aspects of the grant, designing various services to meet the needs of the agencies that apply. We are fortunate to have her skill and experience.”
