New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced $869,833 for community improvement projects in Fairhaven. The grant is part of $26.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that will support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local infrastructure statewide.
“These grants are critical investments to help communities’ fix-up homes and roadways and provide much-needed local services for residents while putting people to work,” said Governor Patrick. “We thank the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for their continued support of our communities.”
“This investment will continue the important work that has already been ongoing in Fairhaven restoring public infrastructure that was in serious need of repair,” said Senator Mark Montigny. “This is a clear case of public investment benefiting businesses and taxpayers while creating jobs.”
The flexibility of CDBG funds enables communities like Fairhaven to address their specific needs, improve the lives of residents and strengthen the local economy. The grant award for Fairhaven will be used for housing rehabilitation and repairs to the Park Avenue/Main Street sidewalk, roadway, sewer and drains.
“The town is appreciative of another round of CDBG funding,” said Bill Roth, Fairhaven’s Planning and Economic Development Director. “This money will allow us to continue to make necessary and drastic improvements to the Cushman Park neighborhood.”
The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource for neighborhood revitalization projects and helps meet the housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income communities while building and repairing infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents. The infrastructure projects help communities create and maintain jobs while providing important improvements to the lives of residents in each city and town. Historically, 40 percent of CDBG funds distributed have been used for these job-creating projects.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The maximum grant for a single community is $1 million.
