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Public hearing on CDBG proposals highlights water, sewer and neighborhood projects across Fairfield County
Summary
Fairfield County held a CDBG second hearing for FY2026 projects including street/sidewalk/waterline work in Thurston, waterline improvements in Baltimore, sewer upgrades in Amanda, a $~500,000 waterline request in Carroll, transportation funding for the Salvation Army, and local support from residents and officials.
At a May 19 second public hearing, Holly Mattei of Fairfield County Regional Planning explained proposed FY2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and said applications are due June 10. Mattei said CDBG funds are federal dollars routed through the state and that Hicks Partners has assisted jurisdictions with applications.
Proposed projects highlighted at the hearing include a Neighborhood Revitalization Project in the Village of Thurston (street and sidewalk improvements, waterline replacement and associated administrative costs), waterline improvements for the Village of Baltimore, sanitary sewer improvements for the Village of Amanda, a transportation request from the Salvation Army, and an estimated $500,000 request by the Village of Carroll to replace aging waterlines.
Supporters of the projects addressed the board during public comment. Matt Brown, representing several communities, said Thurston and Amanda appreciate county support; Casey Farmer of Baltimore asked commissioners to approve Baltimore’s waterline project and emphasized that the work is also essential for fire protection; Gary Silcott spoke on behalf of the Village of Carroll about keeping water and wastewater affordable for residents; and Kelly Bauman said the Salvation Army’s transportation vehicles are aging and requested funding for replacement.
Mattei said the next procedural step is for the commissioners to adopt legislation authorizing the applications, after which Regional Planning will finalize and submit the grant applications to the state. Commissioner Steve Davis invited anyone present who had not received funding to speak and then closed the hearing at 9:33 a.m.
Applications are due June 10; Mattei noted that applications need local match commitments where applicable and that some prior applicants—Habitat for Humanity in a recent round—were ineligible while smaller requests (a roughly $3,000 Pickerington Food Pantry request) were not advanced for consideration due to the small amount requested.
