NEW: Governor Announces $26.8 Million for MA Communities
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The funding comes in the form of federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and reserved for cities and towns of populations under 50,000. Larger municipalities receive direct funding from Housing and Urban Development.
“These grants are critical investments to help communities fix-up homes and roadways and provide much-needed local services for residents while putting people to work,” said Governor Patrick. “We thank the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for their continued support of our communities.”
The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource for neighborhood revitalization projects and aid housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income areas while constructing infrastructure that is vital to the health and safety of all residents.
“The Community Development Block Grants help improve the quality of our municipalities,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “As we continue to invest in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth, this funding will go towards revitalizing our streets and neighborhoods, helping to put our communities and residents on the path to economic recovery.”
Governor Deval Patrick
In Central Mass.
Governor Deval Patrick
Ten Central Mass. towns received funding from the grant program, with the largest amount going to Southbridge, Gardner, and Webster. Each received $900.000. The most any city can receive under CDBG funding is $1 million.
Southbridge received $900,000 for housing, infrastructure improvements to McCann Field for access and parking, engineering and design of Overland Street improvements, traffic and circulation planning, and youth tutoring services. Spencer received $449,400 for housing engineering of Mechanic Street, and Southside neighborhood infrastructure planning.
“These investments save lives and build community and at a time when cities and towns are strapped for cash it means more now than ever,” said U.S. Senator John Kerry. “We’re talking about money that creates construction jobs, builds safer homes, and help families and neighborhoods that need it most. This is why I fight back every time anyone tries to cut or eliminate CDBG funding, and together with Governor Patrick we’ll keep working to protect this money that revitalizes neighborhoods across the state.”
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. Other projects funded include:
Gardner: $900,000 - Connors and Knowlton Streets roadway and sidewalk reconstruction; Greenwood Playground improvements; relocation assistance in Urban Renewal area; Pleasant Street design; social services (homeownership counseling)
Hardwick: $774,370 - High Street/Taylor Street sewer and water line replacement project; Prospect Street/Broad Street replacement sewer design; senior center planning
Milford: $500,000 - Church Street neighborhood roadway, sidewalk, drainage improvements
Orange: $700,000 - Hayden Street roadway, sidewalk, drainage, sewer improvements
Palmer: $837,335 - Housing rehabilitation (8 units); Griffen, Stewart, Crest, Hill Streets water main booster pump improvements; social services (domestic violence prevention)
Ware: $792,385 - School Street roadway, sidewalk, drainage, water and sewer improvements; engineering/design of High Street; distressed property assessment and re-use planning; social services (domestic violence prevention)
Webster: $900,000 - Negus Street roadway, sidewalk and water improvements; comprehensive master plan update
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