Defiance council hears CDBG options, MBPO staff outline funding limits and timeline

Maumee Valley Planning Organization planners told the Defiance City Council during a public hearing that the city is eligible to apply for several Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs in program year 2026 and outlined what each grant typically funds and the application timeline.

"CDBG funds are federal funds," said Estee Blair, senior planner at Maumee Valley Planning Organization, explaining that grants flow from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Ohio Department of Development for administration in Ohio. Blair said projects must meet a national objective; the most commonly used objective requires at least 51% of a project’s service area to be low- to moderate-income residents.

Blair walked council members through five major program types: an allocation grant (guaranteed funds for construction, up to $120,000 that may be split between two projects); the competitive critical infrastructure program (up to $470,000 for failing infrastructure with documented health hazards); the Residential Public Infrastructure program (pre-application in July, up to roughly $720,000 toward construction and generally a 1:1 local match; requires an Ohio EPA permit before application); downtown building grants (up to $225,000 for up to three buildings using a slum-and-blight objective); and a flexible grant (formerly "Target of Opportunity," also capped near $225,000 and used for gap financing or unusual projects such as brownfield remediation).

Blair emphasized administrative requirements for federal funds, including cost estimates stamped by a certified professional and application of Davis-Bacon wage rates in cost estimates. She also noted that full applications for open-cycle programs typically become available in November or December; projects applied for in 2026 would commonly need to be completed by August 2028, making CDBG a poor fit for projects that must be finished in calendar year 2026.

The planners said Maumee Valley will work with city staff to identify likely projects and host a second public hearing in spring to announce the city’s project selections before final application submissions. Blair provided contact information and handouts so council members and staff could follow up.

Council members asked clarifying questions about eligible project types, the competitiveness of each program and match requirements. The presentation concluded with the council thanking Maumee Valley staff and agreeing to schedule the follow-up hearing.

The city provided a sign-in sheet and public handout summarizing program caps and deadlines; staff committed to follow-up with the council on project identification and next steps.