68 cities and towns receive federal funds to create jobs, spur housing, business, infrastructure and social service upgrades

MILFORD – Thursday, July 8, 2010 – Continuing his commitment to strengthening communities, creating jobs and spurring long-term economic development, Governor Deval Patrick today announced that 68 cities and towns in Massachusetts will receive $33.6 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to fund infrastructure improvement projects, boost social services and increase housing and business development opportunities.

“These grants will help communities get to work on a variety of projects that will make a real difference in people’s lives and our Commonwealth stronger in the long run,” said Governor Patrick. “Whether they are used to spruce up homes or storefronts, better public services, or replace streets and sidewalks, these funds will generate jobs and make neighborhoods better places to live, work and conduct business.”

“These grants will be a relief for communities during these tight fiscal times by allowing them to take vital neighborhood improvement projects off the drawing board and make them a reality,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

“These investments mean jobs, housing, and stronger neighborhoods when so many people have been struggling to stay afloat. It will help put people back to work and help hundreds of low and moderate income families to keep a roof over their heads,” said Senator John Kerry.

“The popularity and importance of the Community Development Block Grant program cannot be overstated. Cities and towns in Massachusetts depend on this federal assistance each year for economic development, infrastructure improvement and improved housing. As a former Mayor, I know firsthand how this program can dramatically change the quality of life for residents of a community. The $900,000 investment in Milford is significant, and I am pleased to be here with Governor Patrick today for this announcement,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

Governor Patrick announced today’s awards in the Town of Milford which will receive a $934,291 grant for street and sidewalk upgrades in the Prospect Heights area and to support its housing rehabilitation program.

The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource providing municipalities with funding to support neighborhood revitalization projects, meet the housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income populations and build and repair infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to cities and towns in Massachusetts with populations of less than 50,000.

Eligible communities with populations greater than 50,000 receive program funding directly from HUD Communities may apply for CDBG funding for activities including: housing rehabilitation projects, infrastructure repair or replacement, construction or rehabilitation of public facilities, neighborhood improvement projects, economic development loans and other business assistance programs, social service upgrades, downtown improvement projects, architectural barrier removal and planning. The maximum grant for a single community is $800,000 or $1 million for a single community undertaking multiple, geographically targeted activities. Regional applications are accepted.

“The continued partnership between state and local governments has sustained Milford’s exemplary commitment to revitalizing and renovating affordable housing units in town. I congratulate local officials for their vision in rejuvenating Prospect Heights, and applaud their efforts in securing the vital Block Grant funds for yet another year in a successful community development initiative for the area,” said Senator Richard T. Moore.

“Prospect Heights is an historic neighborhood of planned housing development in the Town of Milford from the turn of the twentieth century. It stands today as a gleaming example of the ability of several different ethnic groups to live and grow together, creating a diverse and rich neighborhood tradition. Government investment in that neighborhood assures that the traditions will live on in a new generation of residents. Anyone visiting the neighborhood today can see the dramatic improvements that the residents enjoy from the almost one million dollars invested in the neighborhood infrastructure so far in Phase I. This Phase II grant of almost another one million dollars will assure completion of the entire infrastructure improvement in the neighborhood. I am grateful to the Governor for his recognition of the importance of the work to the people of Milford,” said Representative John V. Fernandes.

“This is great news for the Town of Bellingham and residents of Wrentham Manor. I am grateful for this grant funding which is the largest amount of housing rehabilitation monies the community of Bellingham has received. Wrentham Manor has substantial roofing rehabilitation needs and many families will benefit from this grant funding. These funds will also be put towards local housing rehabilitation for low to moderate income homeowners,” said Representative Jennifer Callahan.

“These grants are very popular in the best of times and they are valued even more so today as cities and towns across the Commonwealth look to maximize every available resource to provide quality services and create opportunities for all residents,” said DHCD Undersecretary Tina Brooks.

To view the table of award winners, go to: 33.6 Million for Community Development Block Grants