The second public hearing was conducted on June 6, 2023. The application is being prepared to be submitted by the June 14, 2023 deadline. If there are any questions, please contact David Zak at 419.912.1150 or by email at davidz@crawfordpartnership.org.

Welcome

You have landed at the Build Crawford page, a new online hub for community development information for Crawford County created by the Crawford Partnership. The Crawford Partnership is a 501c3 organization created in 2006 that works in support and on behalf of strengthening infrastructure and public facilities in Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington and throughout all of Crawford County. David Zak with the Crawford Partnership is your point of contact for community development. Feel free to contact him at 419.912.1150 (cell) or by email at davidz@crawfordpartnership.org with any questions.

Build Crawford is still in development (pardon our dust!), but has been launched now to assist with Crawford County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for 2023.

Table of Contents:

  1. Past & Upcoming CDBG Meetings & Deadlines
  2. CDBG Quick Links
  3. Introduction to CDBG
  4. Available Funding
  5. Citizen Concerns & Non-English Speakers

1. Past & Upcoming CDBG Meetings & Deadlines

Here are the currently scheduled meetings for the 2023 Community Development Block Grant Program for Crawford County. More will be added as they are scheduled. Recordings for the Bucyrus and Galion City Council meetings available (see below). Recording of public hearing (minutes) and video of online Public Informational Meeting will be available soon.

Completed:

Coming Up:

  • June 14 – Application Submission Deadline: June 14, 2023 (County to the State of Ohio)

2. CDBG Key Quick Links

Here are quick links used to compile the Build Crawford list. Additional projects may be submitted to this list.

3. Introduction to CDBG

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal grant program authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides annual grants to states, cities, and counties on a formula basis. The program aims to develop viable urban and rural communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, as well as expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals.

Here are a couple of materials for review, in addition to the introductory video below, based on David Zak’s presentations during the public meetings, as well as sheets from the Ohio Department of Development:

This introductory video by the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) gives a nice overview:

4. Available Funding to Crawford County for 2023

In Program Year 2022, the State of Ohio was granted $45.2 million in CDBG funds. In Program Year 2023, Crawford County, Ohio is eligible to apply for and receive federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the Office of Community Development of the Ohio Department of Development. The programs and project amounts that Crawford County is eligible for are as follows:

  • Community Development Allocation
    • Grant funding for community development projects such as construction or improvement of public facilities, demolition of blighted buildings, projects to increase accessibility to the handicapped and elderly, and preservation of historic buildings or areas.
    • Available funds: $220,000 allocated to Crawford County (for eligible projects).
  • Critical Infrastructure
    • Competitive grant funding for projects designed to address high-priority improvements such as roads, storm damage, fire protection facilities, and other public facilities.
    • Available funds: up to $500,000.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization
    • Grant funding to improve quality of life, livability and functionality of distressed areas and neighborhoods. Eligible activities include public facilities, improvements in targeted areas of distress that do not fit within the criteria of other CDBG competitive programs.
    • Available funds: up to $750,000.
  • Residential Public Infrastructure (link)
    • Grant funding for water and/or sanitary sewer projects to primarily residential users. There is a minimum total project cost of $200,000, and the project must be located in an area that has a low- to moderate-income population of at least 51 percent.
    • Available funds: up to $750,000.
  • Flexible Grant Program
    • Grant funding for eligible activities which do not fit with other CDBG programs. Eligible projects include economic development, community development, housing and downtown activities.
    • Available funds: amount varies.

5. Citizen Concerns & Non-English Speakers

In compliance with federal law, we are happy to take questions and/or address concerns about the CDBG program or selected projects, and we will respond no later than 14 days. We are also happy to make arrangements for additional language support any non-English speakers at any of our meetings and/or to arrange for a separate time to meet and discuss. For either, please contact the following: