Notice of Public Hearing and Action
County of Cumberland
Amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan
Use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Community Development Block Grant Funds
Cumberland County has been granted funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The Community Development Block Grant Program portion of the Recovery Act provides financial assistance to communities for investment in their community development priorities. The emphasis for these funds is shovel-ready projects that will enhance the community and provide jobs. The county has been allocated $365,212 and proposes to utilize the funds on the following activities in the county that will meet the objectives of the program:
(1) Public Facility: CARES Resources Center - $85,000. Funds are for construction contracts for the construction of the facility, which will assist homeless persons to enter the county’s human services network and will provide a day time place where homeless can prepare for and seek employment and permanent housing. Beneficiaries will be homeless persons. An estimated 6-8 jobs in the construction trades will be retained or created by this activity.
(2) Public Facility: New Hope Ministries, West Shore - $140,000. Funds will be used to finance construction/renovations at the facility at 5228 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg (Hampden Township), which New Hope Ministries will utilize as its center of operation to provide services to low and moderate income persons in the west shore area of the county. The grant will fund accessibility improvements and other renovations to make the building useable. Two to four construction jobs will be created or retained with this activity.
(3) Economic Development: Business Loans - $53,212. Funds will help capitalize the revolving loan fund that provides funding to for-profit enterprises to create or expand businesses. A minimum of two jobs must be created and made available to low and moderate-income persons.
(4) Public Facilities: Accessibility Improvements, West Shore Boroughs - $60,000. These funds will be used for accessibility improvements in one or more of the west shore boroughs, Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg, and New Cumberland. Location of expenditures will be determined on where the funds are most needed based on potential budget shortfalls. Beneficiaries will be disabled adults who are presumed to be low and moderate income. An estimated one to two construction jobs will be created or retained with this activity.
(5) Grant Administration - $27,000. These funds will be expended by the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority, which will serve as the grant administrator for the County. The Authority will receive and disburse funds and ensure compliance with all the administrative, financial management, and reporting requirements of the grant.
These activities will become part of the County’s Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan. Citizens are invited to comment on these proposed uses of the funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program during the comment period – May 19, 2009 through May 267, 2009. Citizens may direct comments to Thomas Fields, Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority, 114 N. Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013; 717-249-0789 or 1-866-683-5907, ext 133; e-mail:
tfields@cchra.com. Citizens may also provide comments at the Cumberland County Commissioners’ public hearing on proposed use of funds to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2009 in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room, second floor, New Courthouse, One Courthouse Square, Carlisle, PA. The Commissioners will take action on the proposed changes at their meeting immediately following the hearing. The Application must be submitted to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by June 5, 2009. Persons with disabilities or non-English speakers desiring special accommodation should contact the County at (717) 240-6165.Gary Eichelberger, Chairman
Board of Commissioners
County of Cumberland