Arapahoe County and the City of Centennial are about to receive
more than $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding
from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, thanks
to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Community organizations and local governments in the city and
county are invited to apply for the money, provided they meet
certain criteria.
“These funds serve a double purpose,” said County Commissioner
Jim Dyer of Centennial. “Approved projects will create jobs and
work for local businesses while their finished product will serve
the needs of our low-income residents.”
All projects applying for Arapahoe County’s nearly $275,000 in
grants must assist low- or moderate-income residents of Arapahoe
County who do not live Aurora, a city that applies for its own
grants.
Those applying for Centennial’s $81,560 in grant funds must
assist low- or moderate-income Centennial residents.
Priority will be given to projects that fall into the following
categories:
Involve infrastructure investments or related projects
Job-creation activities
Projects promoting energy efficiency
Larger projects with budgets above $50,000
Projects that award contracts based on bids made within 120 days
of the grant agreement
Because the grants are part of the federal economic stimulus
package, projects must demonstrate the ability to maximize job
creation or otherwise create an economic benefit.
Earlier this year, Arapahoe County awarded more than $1 million
in CDBG funds to public facilities, services and housing.
Award recipients included Rebuilding Together, House of Hope,
Senior Hub, Project Angel Heart, Eastern Plains Women’s Resource
Center, Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, Wellspring Anglican
Church Food Pantry and Doctors Care.
New applications will be available May 4 and must be returned by
May 22. Applicants must be nonprofit community organizations or
governments that provide assistance to low to moderate income
citizens. Representatives from the applicants are required to
attend a pre-application meeting.
Applications can be picked up at the county offices at 1690 W.
Littleton Blvd., 3rd floor, in Littleton between 8 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. or at the Centennial city offices at 13133 East Arapahoe Road
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information or to receive an electronic application,
e-mail Signy Mikita at smikita@co.arapahoe.co.us or
call 303-738-8063.
