Lancaster County holds CDBG public hearing; staff outlines eligible projects, updated 2024 priorities

Lancaster County held a public hearing April 8 to review the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) citizens participation plan, explain eligible activities and to solicit input for the county’s 2025 prioritized needs list.

Elizabeth Morgan of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments reviewed program rules, funding ranges, and national objectives for CDBG. She told council that only local governments (cities, towns and counties) may apply for CDBG funds and that projects must meet national objectives such as benefiting low and moderate income (LMI) persons, eliminating blight, or addressing urgent community development needs. Morgan explained that eligible activities include public infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, drainage), downtown streetscapes, demolition of dilapidated residential structures in LMI areas, public facilities (libraries, workforce training facilities, childcare facilities), and public safety equipment that serves LMI neighborhoods.

Lancaster County staff…