Politicians in Gardner announce grants supporting community, economic development

Gardner is one of 72 Massachusetts communities that will receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The $64.9 million in federal funds will be used to support a variety of housing, community and economic development projects and programs.

In addition to Gardner, Templeton was awarded $1.35 million to support School Street infrastructure improvements.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward Augustus Jr. announced the awards Friday at City Hall.

The city has been awarded $1.65 million to carry out downtown infrastructure improvements, Greenwood Pavilion park improvements, and social services including youth after-school assistance, youth athletic assistance, and homelessness prevention programs.

“This funding will allow us to convert blight into promise by demolishing two buildings that have been collapsing in on themselves for several years, improve pedestrian infrastructure in the downtown area, make educational programming more equitable to students of all economic backgrounds, and help us support those struggling with homelessness in the city,” said Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. “The progress made through this grant program is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when officials across all levels of government – local, state and federal – work together for the benefit of our communities."

Driscoll said she recognized how valuable these types of grants are to communities.

“As a former mayor, I know firsthand how grants like this play a critical role in giving our towns and cities the resources they need to make a real impact on the lives of Massachusetts residents,” she said. “We know how important it is to invest in our communities, and these CDBGs open doors to opportunities for growth and revitalization across the state. We’re so excited to see all the awardees use these funds to improve their communities.”

Nearly 550 housing units to be created or rehabilitated

The awards will provide for the much-needed rehabilitation of 362 housing units and will also provide for the acquisition of property to support the creation of 191 affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income residents. Furthermore, the awards will support 31 infrastructure projects ranging from park improvements to road repairs and community planning initiatives, and a variety of social services including direct support to local food pantries, child care assistance programs, and domestic violence services.

“Community Development Block Grants are critical for communities like Gardner that are making smart investments to improve quality of life for families,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “The grants announced today by Gov. (Maura) Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll are significant, and they show the commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring communities large and small are able to succeed.

"I look forward to the work ahead to increase federal funding for this important program so cities and towns across Massachusetts can continue to benefit from investments like this.”

CDBG funds are allocated annually through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Communities may apply alone, or multiple communities may join and apply together.

CDBG funds are designed to be flexible so recipients can use the funds on a range of eligible projects. Assistance is provided to qualifying cities and towns for housing, community and economic development projects that assist low- and moderate-income residents or revitalize areas of slum or blight.

CDBG grant recipients

Other communities receiving CDBG funds include Adams, Agawam, Amherst, Athol, Belchertown, Bellingham, Bernardston, Brewster, Dennis, Wellfleet, Brimfield, Wales, Holland, Brookfield, Buckland, Chelsea, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Williamsburg, Westhampton, Worthington, Clinton, Dudley, Easthampton, Edgartown, West Tisbury, Aquinnah, Egremont, Lee, Everett, Great Barrington and Greenfield.

Also receiving CDBG grants are Holland, Ludlow, Marlborough, Methuen, Milford, Millbury, Montague, North Adams, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, Chilmark, Orange, Palmer, Randolph, Rockland, Russell, Huntington, Chester, Middlefield, Salisbury, Sheffield, Shelburne, Southbridge, Southwick, Spencer, Truro, Provincetown, Eastham, and Harwich, Wareham, Warren, Webster, Wendell, and Charlemont and West Springfield

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Community Development Block Grants to help Gardner, Templeton projects