2017 CDBG Funds Allocated
by Amanda Jones
Echo News Editor
Community Development Director Cliff Clark held the second hearing for the 2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program prior to the commissioners’ regular meeting. CDBG funds are federally-allocated to the state, and administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Cameron County’s 2017 allotment will be $203,969. Projects funded through CDBG must benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) individuals, address conditions of slums or blight, or meet a particularly urgent community development need. Seventy-percent of funds used for the program must benefit LMI individuals.
The funds for 2017 are to be allocated as follows: 38% ($36,714) for administration costs; $68,000 for the Emporium Arms Window Replacement project; $24,255 for the Northern Tier Community Action Corporation (NTCAC) Window Replacement project; $25,000 for repairs at the Emporium Senior Center; and $50,000 for countywide spot blight removal.
No new windows at the Arms yet. Apparently the management is lying to the residents cause they’ve been told every month for over 2 years now that windows are coming, each time using a later date. Now they’re saying there’s a signed contract and it will start any time now. Funny how your front page says different. And there’s another request for bids since none were forthcoming in May 2018. Maybe this story needs more exposure since some of these poor tenants are getting $300 electric bills to pay for heating rooms with 1/4″ cracks in sliding windows that don’t seal and maintenance tells them that they don’t repair that problem. Have you felt a 30 mph breeze in your home when it’s -10 outside? The situation needs to get changed. Most of these people have no alternatives.