The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone – individuals, families, schools, businesses, municipal governments, and others. Assistance is available from the federal government through the New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Canton Economic Development office is seeking input on funding application priorities.
A public hearing to receive input is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 6 p.m., immediately preceding the joint Village and Town Boards meeting. The public hearing will be held via Zoom; link information will be posted on the Canton website at https://cantonny.gov/events/joint-village-town-meeting/, and at the Municipal Building prior to the meeting.
According to information provided, the New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) office proposes to utilize up to $60 million in CDBG/CARES funding to “help communities throughout the state to safely reopen and restart their local economies in the wake of COVID-19. HCR proposes funding for a series of activities to prevent the spread of the virus, respond to the impacts of the virus, safely reopen and prepare businesses and facilities for new safety protocols.”
The approved uses of CDBG CARES funding fall under four general categories: small business assistance, public facilities/infrastructure, housing improvements, and public services. Projects that do not fall into these eligible categories may submit under the “special projects” category for consideration, including: supporting small business, improving air quality in public facilities, environmental improvements in housing for safe shelter, conversion of underutilized buildings for affordable housing, vaccine outreach and awareness, WiFi connectivity for underserved communities, and support for mental health services.
Certain pre-award costs may be eligible back to January 21, 2020. More detailed information about eligible projects and initiatives can be found at https://hcr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/03/2020-cdbg-cv-request-for-applications.pdf
“This grant opportunity allows us to seek federal funding to help recover from the impacts of COVID and position our community to be to be prepared for the post-pandemic future,” says Economic Development Director Leigh Rodriguez. “We hope to enlist the community in our brainstorming for priority actions.”
Questions may be directed to [email protected]; meeting access information will be available prior to the public hearing on the Canton, NY website (www.cantonny.gov).
Last modified: April 16, 2021
