During a presentation before the Fernley City Council on July 15, residents, businesses and other entities were encouraged to submit applications for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for qualified projects prior to the Aug. 19 City Council meeting, where such proposals will be considered.
Trisha Livingston, the city’s grant administrator, said there is $2.9 million in CDBG funds to be divided among Nevada’s 26 eligible rural communities for the 2027 CDBG program year. Fernley is one of those eligible entities, though the selection process is highly competitive.
The first criteria for consideration is that the activity must benefit low- and moderate-income persons, address slum or blight conditions, or address an urgent need involving a serious and immediate threat to community health and welfare, Livingston said.
Eligible activities include acquisition of real property for purposes such as creating a park, acquiring property for commercial use and acquiring deteriorated buildings for demolition, she said.
Also eligible are public facilities and improvements for streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, water and sewer lines, flood drainage improvements, senior centers, firehouses and housing shelters.
Demolition of buildings, removal of demolition debris and removal or treatment of environmental contaminants are also eligible, Livingston said.
Under planning and capacity building, plans to determine a community’s needs and plans to assist a CDBG-assisted project are also eligible. Additional eligible activities include acquisition or construction of commercial or industrial buildings, assistance to for-profit businesses, job training and placement, and rehabilitation of commercial structures, she said.
Eligibility criteria required by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development include many of the criteria already mentioned for improvement of public infrastructure, but also includes development of broadband infrastructure and activities designed to create and retain jobs and create or expand businesses, Livingston said.
Individuals and entities interested in submitting an application for CDBG funds or seeking more information about the funding program may contact Livingston prior to the Aug. 19 City Council meeting.
She can be reached by calling (775) 784-9851 or emailing [email protected].
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