Trumbull awarded $578,000 in CDBG funding

Largest allocation in the state will support 3 projects

WARREN -- Trumbull County has received $578,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the Ohio Department of Development -- the largest amount awarded in the state and the only funds awarded in the tricounty area.

County Planning Commission Director and grants coordinator Julie Green said the funds are awarded every two years, so Mahoning and Columbiana counties likely received their money during last year's cycle. She also said the CDBG grant is an allocation grant, not a competitive one, and the amount is based on county population and the percentage of low- and moderate-income residents that live there.

In May, county commissioners approved supporting three of six grant proposals submitted for the 2023 CDBG program.

Legal notices calling for project submissions were published in the newspaper and two public hearings took place.

The projects that will be funded with the $578,000 are the Howland SCOPE Center, Emmanuel Community Care Center in Girard and the Girard Multi-Generational Center, who can use the funds over a two-year period for specific improvements to their facilities.

The Girard Multi-Generational Center will use $79,192 for the removal and addition of a new roof on the gymnasium of the former Tod Woods school building, which has been a community center since 2001.

Emmanuel Community Care Center / Humility of Mary Housing Inc. submitted two applications that had a combined request of $80,000.

The total project cost is $96,610.

One request was for $35,480 for masonry work needed for the exterior of its building at 2 State St. in Girard, and the second was seeking $45,320 for the replacement of windows in four apartments that provide permanent supportive housing to homeless individuals and single-parent families with a disability.

Howland SCOPE Center will use its $226,699.71 in CDBG funds to make the outdated kitchen usable and less of a fire hazard, upgrade its electrical system and provide new lighting throughout the area. Howland Township Administrator Darlene St. George noted in its application the building needs new ceiling tiles, paint and the parking lot should be replaced.

St. George noted the Howland SCOPE Center is the largest in the county and is used by patrons outside the township. Howland was ranked No. 1 among the six CDBG projects considered by commissioners as far as low-to-moderate income clientele. The Emmanuel Community Care Center was ranked second and the Girard Multi-Generational Center was ranked third.

"Although this was not a competitive grant, we do apply for other grants that are competitive under the CDBG umbrella," Green said. "These projects will help seniors and the homeless population, so it's a good thing."

In all, 51 communities were awarded $10.6 million in CDBG allocated funds, according to Gov. Mike DeWine's office.

"Ohio is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, and in order to continue to attract new companies, the infrastructure in our communities needs to be up to date," Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said. "These grants will help communities across the state prepare to attract those looking to build and expand into Ohio, creating new jobs and improving the quality of life for all Ohioans."

Projects that may be funded through this program can include street repairs, sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities, water and sewer line replacements, and community centers. Public service projects can include funding for programs such as Meals on Wheels, health and wellness, and housing and homelessness assistance.

Ashtabula County received $380,000 and Geauga County received $284,000, according to DeWine's office.