City accepting Community Development Block Grants applications

MIDDLETOWN — The city of Middletown has put out a call for project proposals eligible to receive Community Development Block Grants.

As part of the Citizens’ Participation Plan, and in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing to provide citizens and citizen organizations with an opportunity to comment on the use of an estimated $400,000 in anticipated entitlement funds, and any additional program income and reprogrammed funding for the 2020 grant year, according to a news release.

The city is interested in proposals that meet the goals and strategies outlined in its five-year Consolidated Plan of Housing & Community Development, a summary of which will be included in the grant application, according to the release. The city will accept applications for any project which demonstrates a public benefit, and fulfills an objective of the consolidated plan.

The hearing will be held March 18 at 6 p.m. in Common Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 245 deKoven Drive. Each applicant will be granted a five-minute time slot to present their proposal, the release added.

The Citizens’ Advisory Committee has established certain requirements for organizations that would like to receive program funds. Those interested in submitting funding requests and/or commenting on the use of funds can pick up an application in the Department of Planning, Conservation and Development, Room 202, or electronically at cityofmiddletown.com.

There will be a voluntary application training session for grantees to learn about the application process Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. at Middletown City Hall, Room 208.

Completed funding requests should be submitted online or returned to the Community Development division of the planning office by Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. For information, contact the community development specialist at Lynda.MacPherson@middletownct.gov or call 860638-4837.