The Weld County's Community Development Block Grant program was awarded an additional $15,355 of funding this month by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The county's board of commissioners announced the program's increased funding in a news release from this past week. Back in March, the HUD awarded the CDBG $1,041,930, but after reviewing the program's Consolidated Plan, they discovered the program was eligible for more funding.

Now, the CDBG has been awarded $1,057,285 from the HUD, according to the release.

The CDBG program was created in June 2020 with the goal of implementing community improvement projects and administering program funds correctly. The release said the program secured Intergovernmental Agreements with 25 of the county's municipalities to accomplish that goal.

The CDBG's Consolidated Plan was introduced by Program Manager Don Sandoval to the board during public hearings in February and March 2020. The plan added a Needs Assessment section after public outreach campaigns from August and October 2020 yielded comments from resident about what improvements were needed in their communities, according to the release.

As a way to help review community improvement applications from municipalities, a seven-member CDBG Advisory Committee was created last October, according to the news release. The committee gives the board recommendations on community development issues and funding.

The CDBG accepted project applications from November to December 2020 and in March 2021. The release shared the board's three selected community improvement projects:

  • The expansion of Firestone's Via Transit Service from three days to five per week. The service provides transportation for Firestone residents who are disabled, 60 years or older and low to moderate income individuals. The transit takes people to doctor's appointments, trainings and health clinics.
  • The Evans Water Efficiency program, partnered with Larimer County's Conservation Corps (LCCC,  which replace and upgrade toilets and water fixtures in low to moderate income owner households. Over 50 houses will benefit from this project.
  • The Idaho Street Project will make improvements to Idaho Street in Evans. Two blocks of the street are currently unpaved and the project aims to pave the area, replace a water line a water line and storm drainage and add sidewalks along the street.

The Evans Water Efficiency program and Idaho Street project are still awaiting subrecipient agreements before things move forward.

The next community improvement project application period opens Oct. 1, 2021, according to the release.

For more information about the CDBG program, visit https://bit.ly/weldcountyCDBG.