Public hearing on tap to weigh $300K expected for Arnold

Arnold is expecting to receive $300,000 in federal funding, and the public will have a chance to weigh in on how that money can benefit the city.

Council will hold a hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the city’s public safety building, 601 Drey St., to take comments on the federal Community Development Block Grant program money.

The CDBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and provides funds to municipalities for community development, according to Katie Robson, Arnold’s community development director.

Funds can be used to support various community development efforts, such as housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements and public services.

“Public input is very important to this program,” Robson said. “The grant process mandates a public hearing to receive the public’s input into how the grant will be spent. There are limitations to what the grant may fund.”

Funding in previous years has been used for street improvements, such as paving and corner cutting; support for fire departments; demolition of blighted properties; and recreation, Robson said.

At the upcoming hearing, the public can expect an overview of the funding available and its objectives to benefit low- to moderate-income residents, eliminate slums and blight, and its needs and urgency, Robson said.

The public can comment on ideas they have that would meet those objectives.

“After the June 10 hearing, the city council will determine the activities that will be funded based on the public’s input,” Robson said. “A second hearing will be held to make the council’s decisions known to the public.”