County CDBG Program to Help Communities Thrive
Published on July 07, 2020
Once again, Weld County is leading an effort to unite 25 municipalities to benefit residents by administering a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This effort has garnered Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with 24 municipalities so far.
Don Sandoval, Weld County CDBG Manager, administers the program, which is designed to provide funding for various improvement projects based on the needs of Weld County municipalities. Projects may include improvements to and implementation of water systems, streets, community centers, food banks, shelters, health clinics, etc. Sandoval’s main goal this year is to submit the Weld County consolidated plan and annual action plans to meet requirements for funding of the program from 2021 to 2025. Sandoval is currently working with all Weld County municipalities to complete this process.
“We are excited to have the opportunity for the county to receive funds in helping our communities thrive,” Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman said. “This is an invaluable program for Weld County, ensuring our towns have the resources needed to excel moving forward.”
Weld County’s CDBG program will be funded through an entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. An entitlement allocation is given to counties considered to be urban — meaning a population of 200,000 or more. Weld County has more than 300,000 residents. Allocation for the county is expected to be received in early 2021, at an annual estimated entitlement of approximately $1 million.
Municipalities included in Weld County’s CDBG program consist of Ault, Dacono, Eaton, Erie, Evans, Firestone, Ft. Lupton, Frederick, Garden City, Gilcrest, Grover, Hudson, Johnstown, Keenesburg, Kersey, LaSalle, Lochbuie, Mead, Milliken, Nunn, Pierce, Platteville, Severance and Windsor. Sandoval is just waiting on one final IGA from New Raymer. Not included in the approved CDBG agreements are the municipalities of Greeley, Longmont and Thornton because these are entitlement cities – meaning each has more than 50,000 residents. Brighton and Northglenn are not included because they are a part of Adams County’s entitlement. Finally, Timnath and Berthoud sit largely in Larimer County; therefore, they are not included in Weld County’s CDBG program.
In prior years, individual municipalities or the county had to apply for a CDBG grant from DOLA for a specific project. Now, municipalities will work with Sandoval in the identification of projects and allocation of program funds to complete these projects.