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Madison County holds 2026 CDBG public hearing; allocation likely $170K–$180K
Summary
Whitaker presented the county's 2026 Small Cities CDBG options and said the county will likely apply for roughly $170,000 (possibly up to $180,000) as new ACS data reclassifies London and West Jefferson as low- to moderate-income areas; staff emphasized competitive grants, citizen engagement and infrastructure and housing priorities.
Madison County opened a public hearing on Jan. 27 to review its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) priorities for 2026 and to explain how the county will engage communities in project selection.
Whitaker, who led the presentation, said the county expects to apply in June for approximately $170,000 in formula funding; that allocation could increase toward $180,000 because the American Community Survey recently reclassified London and West Jefferson as low- and moderate-income areas, potentially expanding eligibility and interest from those municipalities.
"This year is our allocation year. We will be applying in June for roughly a 170 plus thousand dollars," Whitaker said. He described the range of programs eligible for CDBG funds, naming community housing and preservation programs (CHIP and CHDO), neighborhood revitalization grants, critical infrastructure grants, economic development loans and residential public infrastructure grants that typically support water and sewer improvements.
Whitaker outlined the county's community engagement approach: a mix of mailed surveys, repeated public meetings (he said roughly six public meetings have been held for past neighborhood revitalization efforts) and engineer-led cost estimates to produce competitive applications. He cited recent local uses of CDBG money — drainage work and improvements to water and wastewater treatment systems — as examples of the program's capacity to address longstanding infrastructure needs.
He said the county will hold a biannual planning meeting on Feb. 24 and will circulate materials to villages, townships and organizations in advance. Whitaker encouraged residents and local officials to participate while noting the state now favors competitive grant submissions that demonstrate local engagement and matching support.
The hearing closed with a brief question-and-answer period; no formal application decisions or county matches were approved at the meeting.
Next steps: County staff will circulate planning materials and hold the Feb. 24 planning meeting to develop potential projects for the June application.
