Easthampton is eligible to apply for up to $450,000 in block grant funding.
EASTHAMPTON -- City officials are hoping to again receive Community Development Block Grant money in 2014 for more infrastructure work and housing rehabilitation -- but, they want to hear from residents about other potential projects.
The Planning Department has scheduled a public hearing Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
In 2011, Easthampton received $895,950 in block grant money for infrastructure improvements on Everett Street and $900,000 in 2013 to rehabilitate four housing units and do sidewalk, roadway and other public works improvements in the second phase of the Everett street area project. It did not receive funding in 2012.
City Planner Jessica Allan said they city generally seeks funding for housing rehab and infrastructure work. The city will likely apply for funding for infrastructure work on Admiral Street to put in new sewer lines and catch basins.
With housing rehab, people generally contact the city and are put on a waiting list for when funding is available for those kinds of projects.
The funding deadline is Feb. 14. Allan said she doesn’t yet know how much money the city will seek. They will likely know a dollar amount after the public hearing.
According to the state block grant web page, the competitive program is intended “to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs.”
Those needs include housing, community, and economic development projects “that assist low and moderate-income residents, or by revitalizing areas of slum or blight.”
Easthampton is eligible for only up to $450,000, according to the state website. Communities are not allowed to receive more than $1.35 million over two consecutive years.
The map below shows Admiral Street in Easthampton:
View Admiral St in a larger map
