Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced the selection of eleven municipal projects for inclusion in the Erie County Consortium 2017 Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) application. The application, which will be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval, recommends a total Erie County expenditure of $1,449,731 for the projects, an investment which will leverage $2,612,797 in local funds and in-kind resources.

“The Community Development Block Grant awards are meant to spur communities to invest in projects that improve the infrastructure and quality of life in our cities and towns. These funds, leveraged with other funding secured by the municipalities involved, provide the impetus for improvements all around Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “As I said in my ‘Initiatives for a Smart Economy’ address, CDBG funds serve a critical role in revitalizing our area, and I look forward to the completion of the projects listed for 2017.”

The Erie County Consortium consists of 34 municipalities, generally located outside of the City of Buffalo and the first-ring suburbs. The selected projects are targeted toward a variety of building, and public infrastructure improvements which primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents.

The 2017 projects include:

• Village of Angola-Smart Growth Initiative-Mill Street Sidewalk Installation: $116,442

• City of Lackawanna- Friendship House Demolition-Design/Abatement: $150,000

• City of Lackawanna- Friendship House (100 Dona St.)Demolition: $150,000

• Town of Newstead- Senior Center Improvements: $10,207

• Town of Alden-Senior/Community Center Kitchen Improvements: $43,116

• Town of Orchard Park-Burmon Drive Reconstruction.: $150,000

• Village of Orchard Park-Buffalo Street ADA Improvements: $142,496

• Village of Akron- Marshall/Cedar Waterline Improvements : $150,000

• Village of Gowanda- Hollywood Theater Restoration Improvements: $150,000

• Various Communities- Commercial Center Improvement Program: $120,000

• Various Communities- Rural Transit Service: $267,471

Poloncarz added, “Again this year, communities across Erie County will be improving their business centers and enhancing residents’ quality of life while we also continue to keep communities connected with the Rural Transit Service. By pairing CDBG funding with matching funds from these municipalities, we are investing in a renewed Erie County for generations to come.”

The projects were recommended for funding by a 14-member Selection Committee, including 11 Supervisors and Mayors from Consortium communities and three members of the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning. The Committee reviewed a total of 30 projects seeking $3,390,050 in federal assistance.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/