Summary The City is considering applying to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for a FFY 2017 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. The City is eligible to receive up to $700,000 in the neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization and housing rehabilitation categories and up to $1.5 million in the economic development category. Construction activities funded through the CDBG program must meet one of the following National Objectives:
- Provide benefit to low-and moderate-income persons;
- Prevent or eliminate slum or blight conditions; or
- Meet a need of recent origin having a particular urgency.
The first step in this process is to conduct the first of two required public hearings. The purpose of the first hearing is to receive citizen views concerning the community’s housing, economic and other community development needs. Notice of the first public hearing was placed in the Alachua County Today on December 29th to meet CDBG notice requirements.
A CATF meeting was held on January 4, 2017 at which time CATF members and members of public had the opportunity to learn what activities are eligible for the program and to discuss what projects may be considered.
The Commission may elect to submit a grant application in one of these categories: commercial revitalization, housing rehabilitation, or neighborhood revitalization, as well as an application in the economic development category.
The Commission will need to make a motion to direct Administration to proceed with a CDBG application to DEO. |