Poloncarz announces 2022 Community Development Block Grant awards

Awards include 12 municipal projects across Erie County; county investment leverages local funding

On Monday, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced the selection of 12 municipal projects for inclusion in the Erie County Consortium 2022 Community Development Block Grant. The application, which will be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval, recommends a total Erie County expenditure of $1,462,644.00 for the projects, an investment which will leverage $2,549,497 in local funds and in-kind resources.

“The Community Development Block Grant awards spur communities to invest in projects that improve the infrastructure and quality of life in our cities and towns,” Poloncarz said. “These funds, leveraged with other funding secured by the municipalities involved, provide the impetus for improvements all around Erie County. CDBG funding plays a critical role in revitalizing local business districts and renewing our communities, and I look forward to the completion of the projects slated for 2022.”

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “Federal Community Development Block Grant funding provides the flexibility to meet the individual needs of communities, and we see that with the variety of projects awarded across Erie County this year. From senior services to parks and public infrastructure, these grants will help make neighborhoods safer, stronger and more vibrant.”

The Erie County Consortium consists of 34 municipalities, generally located outside of the City of Buffalo and the first-ring suburbs. The City of Buffalo, along with the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and Tonawanda are not consortium members and receive their own grant funding directly from the federal government to fund projects in their respective municipalities.

The selected 2022 projects are targeted toward a variety of building and public infrastructure improvements, which primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. These projects include:

• Town of Evans – Smart Growth – Eisenhower Avenue Sidewalk Project – $325,000
• City of Lackawanna – Cleveland Avenue Milling and ADA Ramps – $100,000
• Town of Aurora – Aurora Senior Center Exterior Door Replacement and LED Lighting Upgrade – $95,190
• Town of Lancaster – Senior Van with Power Lift – $57,289
• Village of Depew – Sidewalk Replacement – Gould Avenue, Columbia Avenue, Lincoln Street and the walkway to West Dawson Field Inclusive Playground – $100,000
• Town of Brant – Brant Basketball/Pickleball Court Construction – $100,000
• Town of Boston – Construction of North Boston Town Park Restroom and Pavilion – $100,000
• Village of Akron and the Town of Newstead – Clarence Center Road and Buell Street Sidewalks – $15,165
• Town of North Collins – Senior Center Kitchen Repair and Renovation Project – $100,000
• City of Tonawanda – Grant and Stark Streets Road Paving – $100,000
• Town of West Seneca – Senior Center Van, Fitness and Recreation Equipment – $100,000
• Various Communities – Rural Transit Transportation Service: $270,000

The projects were recommended for funding by a 16-member selection committee, including 13 supervisors and mayors from consortium communities, and three members of the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning. The committee reviewed a total of 26 projects seeking $2,479,514.00 in federal assistance.

For more information on the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/.