Hocking County seeks $150K CDBG funding for neighborhood and infrastructure projects

The Hocking County Commissioners meeting held on June 5, 2025, focused on the county's plans to apply for funding through the Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This federally funded initiative, administered by the state, allows Hocking County to seek up to $150,000 annually, contingent upon meeting specific program requirements.

During the meeting, officials reported on the first public hearing held on March 6, 2025, which aimed to inform citizens about the CDBG program, its eligible activities, and requirements. The county is considering several projects based on community input and assessments of local needs.

Key projects under consideration include a neighborhood revitalization grant for the City of Logan, with a matching allocation of $37,600, and a critical infrastructure grant for the Village of Laurelville, which has a proposed match of $82,400. Additionally, Hocking County plans to apply for the CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Grant, seeking the maximum funding of $750,000. The total estimated cost for the Logan NRG project is approximately $787,600, which includes $700,000 for construction and $50,000 for administration.

The county is also eligible for a critical infrastructure grant of up to $500,000, with a proposed project cost of $582,405 for the Village of Louisville. This project aims to address flood and drainage issues in the downtown area, including the installation of 16 catch basins and approximately 1,000 feet of piping.

Further discussions included potential upgrades to Logan's Lingo Park and improvements to Third Street, with ongoing estimates to determine the extent of the work. The county plans to hold a second public hearing to gather more input from residents regarding these initiatives.

Overall, the meeting underscored Hocking County's commitment to enhancing community infrastructure and addressing the needs of low to moderate-income populations through strategic funding applications.