Scottdale gets $84,701 CBDG grant
Scottdale borough is getting $84,701 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
State DCED Secretary Dennis Davin announced the grant as part of $4.4 million in CDBG funding for projects in 10 counties.
“DCED is committed to sustaining efforts to assist communities across the commonwealth,” Davin said in a news release.
Borough Manager Angelo M. Pallone said Monday that his community wants to use the money for demolition work as well as a new first-floor council chamber that would be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
At present, council meetings are held upstairs unless a handicapped resident seeks to attend.
“If we have someone who is disabled, we will move our meetings downstairs,” the borough manager said.
Scottdale is a “single entitlement community” that gets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants directly through Pennsylvania’s DCED, rather than through Westmoreland County.
In recent years, Scottdale’s grant has averaged around $80,000, but Pallone said before that the usual grant was closer to $100,000.
Pallone is hoping that there is enough money for this year as well as leftover funds from previous years for design work if not for an actual conversion of a downstairs room for a new council chamber.
The borough can use up to 30 percent of its CDBG grant for demolition. Last year the borough tore down a structure at 115 Pittsburgh St., near the Geyer Theater.
Scottdale is a “single entitlement community” that gets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants directly through Pennsylvania’s DCED, rather than through Westmoreland County.
In recent years Scottdale’s grant has averaged around $80,000, but Pallone said before that the usual grant was closer to $100,000.
“I wish we could get more money,” Pallone said. “But we’re lucky we get more than some towns.”
The money funneled from HUD through DCED is aimed at smaller communities and rural areas of the commonwealth. It is meant for such uses as housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement, development and planning.
More details on the state’s CDBG program is available at www.newPA.com.