City funds sidewalks, repairs

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March 17, 2010

Target area moves northwest of downtown.

By Scott Smith The Kokomo Tribune Wed Mar 17, 2010, 11:27 PM EDT

Kokomo city officials said new windows for the city’s main domestic violence shelter are among dozens of projects to be funded through the city’s annual allotment of federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

City director of development Debra Cook said funding will focus on infrastructure and rehabilitation projects that generate jobs.

Grants are also directed at “education-related projects that enhance education opportunities, increase literacy and prepare low-income city residents for jobs,” city officials said.

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight will submit the proposed projects to the federal government sometime before May 14. Funds will be available on or after July 1, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

City officials said they expect to receive just under $1 million in block grant funding this year. The city receives CDBG money annually and must use the funds primarily to assist low-to-moderate income residents of Kokomo.

“Projects that employ the local work force are important to our economy. And as I have said before, improving our education levels will continue to be a goal every year of my administration,” Goodnight said Wednesday.

A new target area is being established this year to receive assistance through the CDBG program. This neighborhood on the city’s north side is bound by Morgan Street on the north, Apperson Way on the east, North Street on the south, and Phillips Street on the west.

The city traditionally uses 20 percent of the block grant to fund ongoing operations at the Department of Development, including oversight of the block grant projects and grant writing.

The largest chunk of the remaining funding ($377,000) will go toward emergency home repairs in the target area. The Neighborhood Property Renewal Program will fund low-income owner-occupied exterior home repairs in the target area.

In addition, $321,000 will go toward infrastructure improvements, including reconstruction of Gerhart Street between Apperson Way and Purdum Street, and new sidewalks along the east side of Market Street, between North and Morgan streets.

Other recipients of block grant funding include:

• Up to $10,000 allocated to low-income educational support programs, including college scholarships for local students who enroll in a degree program at Indiana University-Kokomo or IVY Tech Community College.

• New windows for the Family Service Association’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and for the Family & Social Service Association building at 618 S. Main St. ($46,233)

• Individual grants for the Howard County Extension Homemakers, Head Start program and for low-income membership assistance at the Kokomo Family YMCA.

• A total of $10,000 to the Kokomo Parks Department to fund new restrooms at Foster Park, to improve accessibility for physically-challenged individuals.

• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at 765-454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com

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Target area moves northwest of downtown.

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