$818,864 in Block Grants Back Childcare, Small Business, and Shelter
Published on October 06, 2026
Franklin County Board of Commissioners | Department of Economic Development and Planning
Home childcare providers, small business owners, local families, and survivors of intimate partner violence will see support from $818,864 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds that the Franklin County Board of Commissioners committed on October 6.
Greta Armstrong of the Department of Economic Development and Planning presented four funding agreements.
Action for Children will receive $270,943 in 2024 CDBG funds (Res. 0649-26) to provide technical assistance to low- and moderate-income owners of small childcare businesses. The resolution also lets the county add $278,746 in 2020 CDBG funds, if the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approves changes to the county's 2020 Annual Action Plan.
The Economic and Community Development Institute, known as ECDI, will receive $51,057 (Res. 0650-26) for business development and capital readiness training for low- and moderate-income microenterprise owners.
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services will receive $124,078.70 in 2024 and 2025 funds (Res. 0651-26) for community-based learning, financial empowerment, and wellness support for Franklin County residents.
The Community Shelter Board will receive $372,785.30 in 2023 and 2024 funds (Res. 0652-26) for emergency shelter. "This program further subgrants funds to Lutheran Social Services to provide that emergency shelter and supportive services for survivors of intimate partner violence," Armstrong said. The agreement sets conditions Lutheran Social Services must meet before funds are released.
The Action for Children, ECDI, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services agreements begin October 1, 2026. The Community Shelter Board agreement takes effect retroactively to July 1, 2026.
Resolutions 0649-26, 0651-26, and 0652-26 passed unanimously. Resolution 0650-26 passed 2-0, with Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce abstaining.