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Central Falls outlines federal grant bids, secures firefighters grant and readies HUD application for public-safety work
Summary
City staff said the administration is submitting a $500,000 federal request with local partners, confirmed a $91,000 firefighters grant for equipment with no local match, and expects to submit a HUD application to access a previously approved $3 million congressional appropriation for the Public Safety Complex.
City staff told the Central Falls City Council the administration is actively pursuing several federal funding opportunities to support public-safety equipment, parks and local development.
Derek Calabotti, a city staffer working on grants, said the city is submitting a $500,000 federal request tomorrow in partnership with Blackstone Valley Prep and the El Centro initiative; the money would be split between the partner organization and the city under a formal memorandum of understanding. "We are submitting a $500,000 federal request," Derek said, adding the proposal is highly competitive and that the Rhode Island Foundation has been supportive of the initiative.
Calabotti also reported a formally approved $91,000 award from the Firefighters grant program for equipment, including a cardiac monitor; he said there is no local match requirement. "This is just $91,000 going into the needs of the fire department," Derek said. He said the city also is supporting an additional $50,000 grant currently routed through Rhode Island DOT and the congressional delegation.
On larger capital needs, Calabotti said the city previously secured a $3,000,000 congressional appropriation for the Public Safety Complex, but that amount would not fully replace the facility. The next step, he said, is a HUD application for that money; he also said the administration is exploring FEMA and Economic Development Administration avenues for further funding.
Why it matters: the city is attempting to leverage a mix of federal grants and appropriations to address equipment shortfalls and a deteriorating Public Safety Complex. Calabotti emphasized that the city is positioning proposals to be competitive but cautioned that congressional appropriations still require subsequent administrative approvals.
What’s next: city staff said a HUD application will be prepared for the congressional funding and the administration will continue outreach to FEMA and the Economic Development Administration.
Source material: reporting to the council by Derek Calabotti (grants/update). The council requested follow-up briefings and documentation from staff as proposals advance.
