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Richland County holds informational public hearing on CDBG funding; $290,000 allocation noted
Summary
Regional Planning led the first required public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Commissioners and staff discussed eligibility, the county’s $290,000 allocation, revolving loan funds, and the May 2 proposal deadline.
Richland County held the first of two required public hearings on April 10 to explain the Community Development Block Grant program and how the county may use its FY2025 allocation.
Jodika Shetty of Regional Planning briefed the board and members of the public on eligible activities, income‑eligibility requirements, and how the county’s allocation is calculated. She told the commission that Richland County’s formula allocation for the program this year is $290,000 and that the state requested the county roll the balance of an inactive revolving loan (economic development) into the CDBG allocation. Including that balance, Shetty said the county’s total available amount for eligible activities is $340,000.
Shetty explained the program limits, including a typical 15% cap on spending for public services unless the county requests and receives a waiver from the state. She also described two ways to demonstrate benefit to low‑ and moderate‑income persons: area eligibility (HUD‑published census tracts/block groups that meet low/moderate thresholds) and individual income surveys. She noted that Richland County has limited eligible census tracts (a small portion of Shelby and part of Perry Township) and that a recent income survey in Shiloh did not meet the required threshold.
Shetty described how an income survey is conducted (anonymous household surveys collecting household size and income) and that the technical threshold for project eligibility is that at least 51% of surveyed households meet the low/moderate income threshold. She said the program allows a maximum of two projects per allocation and that Regional Planning will administer the grant; she noted a proposed agreement with the county prosecutor’s office had been returned to the commissioners for approval.
Shetty told the public the proposal deadline for CDBG applications is May 2 and invited questions; none were raised in the hearing. The hearing was informational; commissioners did not take action on project selection at this meeting.
