Pharr says 13 agencies committed to CDBG round; applications open through May

City staff told the Pharr Community Development Commission that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application window remains open through May and that 13 agencies have so far committed to apply.

"We currently have 13 agencies that are committed," a city staff member said, and staff said applications would be accepted through May with a stated cutoff time of 5:00 p.m. The presenter described the application as for organizations or internal departments that want to partner for the program year 2025, which the presenter said runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Staff reviewed packet materials that included an overview of the CDBG program, the grant cycle, matrix codes and definitions of eligible activities. The presenter said the matrix codes and public service overview in the packet are intended to help commissioners understand eligibility and the types of projects that CDBG can fund.

Staff noted growth in participation from prior years and said the city expects more partnerships this cycle: "I know, prior year, we had about 6 or 7, and it's gone up," the presenter said. The presenter added that the program has helped many families locally since Pharr began receiving CDBG funding in 1994 and described the national program as in existence for 51 years.

The presenter invited commissioners and the public to two upcoming outreach items included in the packet: a city podcast scheduled for Thursday and a CDBG celebration on April 24. The invitation packet, staff said, was included in the commission materials.

No formal funding awards or program allocations were made during the meeting; the commission received the status update and materials and was asked to sign a commitment letter as part of its files.

Ending: Staff said further details and a list of the 13 committed agencies can be provided to commissioners on request and encouraged community partners to apply before the May deadline.