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Committee places proposed CDC support contracts funded by CDBG on consent agenda
Summary
Staff told the committee Akron will receive about $5.8 million in CDBG funds and recommended contracting with two additional community development corporations after an RFP; members asked about outreach to smaller CDCs and RFP timing.
The Planning and Economic Development Committee placed on the consent agenda an ordinance authorizing the director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development to enter into contracts with nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs) for CDC support funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars.
Helen Tomic, speaking to the committee, said "The city of Akron will receive approximately $5,800,000 in community development block grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development." She described the CDC support program as funded through CDBG and intended to help neighborhood-based CDCs invest in revitalization, repurposing of vacant or historic buildings, and place-based infrastructure and services. Staff said an RFP issued in late 2025 yielded applications and the department is recommending funding two additional CDC applicants (the Well and the Nazareth CDCs) in addition to previously presented recipients (Habitat, Kenmore, and Legacy for Success).
Council member Fran Wilson asked specifically about support for smaller and medium-sized CDCs that may not do property-related work and whether HOME or other sources might be available; Tomic said staff had notified smaller CDCs when issuing the RFP but did not receive applications from them and pointed to Legacy for Success as an example of a smaller CDC that recently received funding.
Councilman Greer asked how many total applications were received; Tomic answered "5 or 6," and the committee settled on "6," with staff noting nearly every applicant was recommended for funding except roughly one. Tomic said staff hopes to release a new round of CDC funding RFPs in late fall (targeting late September/early October) for 2027 funding and agreed to notify council members when that RFP is released so members can assist smaller CDCs.
A motion was made and seconded to place the ordinance on the consent agenda; ayes were recorded and the item was placed on the consent agenda. No formal roll-call tally or final contract awards were decided during the committee meeting.
