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Township says $750,000 HUD paving grant is appropriated but projects likely won’t start until 2027
Summary
Lebanon Township officials told the committee the $750,000 HUD grant appropriated in the 2023 budget will be used for three road projects but environmental studies and coordination mean work is unlikely before 2027; reimbursements require documented expenditures and HUD paperwork.
Committee members and staff on Sept. 3, 2025 outlined plans to use a $750,000 HUD grant appropriated in the township's 2023 budget for targeted road projects but said the work is unlikely to start before 2027 because of environmental reviews and staffing constraints.
"So, yes, that HUD grant will be used," said a township staffer who reviewed project planning, identifying three project areas: Sun Mountain Development (off Bunvale Road), D Link and Newport Road, and Rocky Run Road. The township's staff and engineer are coordinating environmental studies and the grant is a reimbursable award, not cash-on-hand.
Lorraine (staff) explained the municipal-budget mechanics: the grant was appropriated in the 2023 budget and can be spent once appropriate approvals are made, but HUD reimbursement requires paperwork demonstrating expenditures. "Once you put a shovel in the ground... you have until 2031 before this funding has to be spent," Lorraine said, noting the township must complete multiple reports and environmental steps before construction.
Committee members and residents expressed concern about timing and purchasing power. Public commenter Steve said his rough calculation showed the award "now is effectively worth about $600,000" after accounting for inflation between award and likely construction dates and urged accelerating use of the funds. A committee member asked whether the grant can cover roads other than those named in the application; a committee member replied, "I think it can only be used for the roads that were targeted in the application."
Officials said next steps include engineering-led environmental studies, meetings among the engineer, CFO and DPW to schedule preparatory work, and coordinating with utilities such as Aqua where necessary. Staff described the grant as a reimbursable appropriation and said the township has until 2031 to spend the funds once construction begins.
Why this matters: The conversation affects when and where road resurfacing will occur and whether the township can accelerate projects before inflation further erodes the grant's value. Environmental and procurement timing, contractor availability and DPW staffing were identified as constraints.
