$9.5 million in federal grants awarded to 15 rural Washington communities
Grants range from $325,000 to $1 million for vital local projects throughout the state
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that 15 cities and counties will receive a total of more than $9.5 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 2014. The 15 projects were selected from 39 grant applications requesting over $24 million. They will improve rural water, sewer and street systems; support affordable housing; construct fire stations; and renovate a homeless service facility.
“For over 45 years the CDBG program has provided flexible funding that allows communities to afford necessary improvements and thrive. We are pleased to be a partner with these important local projects,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.
2014 Washington State Community Development Block Grant Awards:
• City of Aberdeen – $750,000 for renovation of a homeless service facility
• Chelan County – $630,000 for expansion of a fire station
• City of Ellensburg – $325,000 for infrastructure in support of housing
• City of Grandview – $750,000 for a neighborhood street improvement project
• City of Kettle Falls – $750,000 for expansion of a library
• City of Kittitas – $600,000 for renovation of a community center and library
• Town of Mabton – $1,000,000 for a new water reservoir
• City of North Bonneville – $350,000 for sewer system improvements
• City of South Bend – $677,600 for sewer system improvements
• Town of Springdale – $541,500 for sewer system improvements
• City of Toledo – $725,000 for a new water reservoir
• City of Tonasket – $521,600 for sewer system improvements
• City of Toppenish – $399,247 for street and water system improvements
• Whatcom County – $500,000 for a housing rehabilitation program
• Yakima County – $1,000,000 for a new fire station
The state CDBG program receives an annual funding allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and targets assistance to benefit lower income persons in rural areas. Larger cities and counties receive CDBG funding directly from HUD. Since 1982, the state CDBG program has awarded more than $486 million in grants to over 1,325 locally prioritized community development projects. CDBG partners with other state, federal, local and private resources to leverage over 36 percent of project costs. Capital to provide flexible gap funding for these important community projects continues to be under pressure from federal budget reductions. Since 2010, the CDBG program has faced a 33 percent reduction.