Lead‑applicant status denied for 12 Points revitalization project; demolition grant proposed as alternative

Miss Gerald updated the commissioners that the county’s attempt to serve as lead applicant for a 12 Points revitalization grant was determined ineligible because the project property lies inside an entitlement community area of Terraote, making the project unlikely to receive funding under the state program as applied.

She said she had submitted a permission‑to‑conduct‑income‑survey letter and later learned from the grant services office that while the county is eligible to apply, funding would not be awarded under the current circumstances. “I submitted that grant services then called me and said … because the building is inside the entitlement community area … you can still apply but you're not going to get funded,” Miss Gerald said.

As an alternative, Miss Gerald told commissioners the state program also operates a demolition grant program that offers up to $500,000 with a 10% local match for demolition projects; she proposed that the county could partner with Thrive West Central to carry out phase one demolition work and prepare the grant application. She noted the program typically has two cycles per year and that preparing an application takes about six months.

Commissioners responded that staff had already been discussing demolition plans and that the county has made progress cleaning up residential properties. Miss Gerald said the state had recently closed residential eligibility without broad notice but expressed hope the program will reopen in December or in the first application round next year. She committed to notify commissioners when the program reopens so the county can pursue demolition funding.