Published: May 15, 2009 11:44 pm      

Block grant funds up about 2 percent

EBENSBURG — Infrastructure, blight elimination and housing rehabilitation are targets for just less than a million dollars in state Community Development Block Grant funds anticipated by Cambria County and five communities.

Funding announced this week has increased by about 2 percent compared with 2008 levels,

said Larry Custer, executive director of the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority, which administers the funds for the county and Adams, Cambria, Cresson and Jackson townships.

Northern Cambria Borough, which administers it own funds, will use the money for street repairs, borough manager Claudine Nagle said.

Cambria County will spend the $414,000 it anticipates for housing rehabilitation for low to moderate income families, demolition and blight removal, Custer said.

Adams Township will spend its 2009 allocation to make storm water improvements in the Crown Street and Grove Street areas of Sidman. It is part of flood-protection activities along the South Branch of the Little Conemaugh River in Sidman, Creslo and St. Michael, Custer said.

The work is part of a three-year plan to upgrade basic water, sanitary sewer, storm water and roadway infrastructure.

CDBG money will allow Cambria Township to continue its replacement of sewer lines along Sixth Street in Colver. Plans are to upgrade basic water and sewer systems and get rid of blight in the community, he said.

Cresson Township will spend its money to extend a public water line along Admiral Peary Highway and elimination of blight.

The continuation of a three-year plan to construct public sewer lines along Loraine Road will account for the CDBG allocation to Jackson Township, Custer said.

Eligible communities must have a population greater

than 4,000 with a significant number of its residents meeting low to moderate income guidelines.

The county and entitlement communities this year will receive an additional 25 percent in CDBG funding in addition to the 2009 allocation as part of the federal stimulus program.