Mayor highlights CarPlex progress, CDBG funding maintenance and Lorain County mega‑site award

Mayor Brett Brown opened council with several community and federal funding updates. He said the CarPlex held an open house and "the facility is coming along just fine," adding his understanding that the project has spent about $8,000,000 so far and that "the city is starting to disperse some funding to the CARPLEX up to $4,000,000" and that any money beyond that would be the developer's responsibility. The mayor also reported a federal funding update: he said the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittee maintained Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding at $3,300,000,000 and that the House Appropriations Committee approved the measure. The mayor said that, based on that funding level, "That means, I don't know, dollars 1,200,000.0 for the city of Lorraine," and he urged hope that CDBG funding will continue to support local housing rehabilitation programs. Separately, the mayor relayed a press release he received saying the Lorain County Board of Commissioners will receive $67,412,580 for infrastructure improvements at the Lorain County mega‑site. The release, the mayor said, indicated the funding will expand water capacity to deliver up to 10,000,000 gallons per day, improve wastewater service and support design and engineering for a new wastewater treatment plant; the mayor said city staff will meet with county commissioners and the utilities director to discuss the project. The mayor also mentioned an announcement that Collision Bend Brew Company will open a restaurant at the CarPlex, and he encouraged residents to visit the facility.