Franklin County as a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement Urban County has been awarded $488,455 in Stimulus CDBG–R Program Funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  The purpose of the funding is to address critical local employment and economic development needs by investing in infrastructure that will create or sustain jobs in the near term and generate maximum economic benefits in the long term. In order to apply for and accept this funding the County must amend its 2008 Consolidated Plan and submit the substantial amendment to HUD by June 5, 2009.

While grantees such as Franklin County have the full range of CDBG eligible activities at their disposal to devote their CDBG-R funding towards it is the intent of Congress that those funds should primarily be invested in economic development, housing, infrastructure and other public facilities activities that will quickly spur further economic investment, increased energy efficiency, and job creation or retention. In keeping with Congresses’ intent, Franklin County is proposing that its CDBG-R funds be used for the following purposes:

1. $240,000 to the Board of Health to expand its urgent repair homeowner rehabilitation program
2. $100,000 to the Economic & Community Development Institute to implement a business incubator food services training and micro-lending program
3. $50,000 to Increase, CDC for a micro-lending program (the program will compliment the microenterprise development program Increase currently administers for the County)
4. $50,000 to Clinton Township for a sidewalk construction program augmenting the County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program efforts
5. $15,000 to the non-profit Neighborhood Design Center for design work for improvements to a retail township centero      
6. $33,445 for administration of the programs

In conjunction with this allocation HUD has identified a seven day citizen participation comment period for the substantial amendment. Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed allocation are asked to contact Mark Paxson in the County’s Department of Economic Development & Planning either by mail: 150 S. Front Street, Suite 10, Columbus, Ohio 43215; by phone at (614) 462-5578 or by e-mail at: mspaxson@franklincountyohio.gov. by June 2nd, 2009. The allocation will be discussed at the Commissioner’s Briefing on May 28th, 2009 and the final proposal approved at the Commissioner’s general session on June 2nd, 2009; both meetings to be held at 9:00 a.m. on the 26th Floor of the County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio.

CDBG-R Substantial Amendment
CDBG-R Substantial Amendment Activity Spreadsheet