The town of Newburgh held a public hearing at its April 22 workshop meeting to solicit public input on potential projects for a community development block grant. The FY2020 Orange County Community Development Block Grant would award funds for the purpose of district upgrades.

“Some of the things we can ask for [include] acquisition and disposition of real property, public works, public facilities or site improvements, code enforcement, housing and health code issues, clearance demolition and rehabilitation for public use or economic development, housing rehabilitation loans and grants, special projects for the elderly and disabled, provisions for the public services – shelters, clinics, senior nutrition, etc. – payment of non-federal shares of other grant programs, and relocation payments and assistance,” town supervisor Gil Piaquadio explained.

The application for the grant is due April 26 and requires detailed proposals from the municipality as to how the funds would be allocated. However, no suggestions were offered from the public at the April 22 meeting. Piaquadio hopes the grant could be used for sewer district upgrades to help it be more efficient.
“[This] program is intended to benefit lower to moderate-income residents of the town,” explained attorney for the town Mark Taylor.

The Community Development Program has made $71,681,472 available to Orange County and participating municipalities. Municipalities that are awarded the grant will be notified in November 2019, and would have the grant money available by January 1, 2020.