City takes advantage of grants for fixups

The mayor of the cash-strapped city especially likes gifts that require no local match.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- This financially troubled city is trying to stretch every "free" dollar it gets.
The community will receive $68,000 in this year's Community Development Block Grant allocation.
CDBG is designed to make improvements in low- to moderate-income areas.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday to determine if there are any objections to where the money will be spent.
CDBG uses
John Moliterno, D-at-large, chairman of council's economic development committee, said $33,800 is scheduled to replace a waterline along Louis Avenue in the Parkwood Section.
It's also being suggested that $15,000 pay for a new traffic signal at Trumbull Avenue and Davis Street.
Moliterno said parts for the aged signal can't be found, and a new light is needed. He noted that other lights in the city don't work because of the lack of parts and the city can't afford new signals.
The balance will be used for street resurfacing in the Parkwood area that qualifies for projects because of the large number of low- and moderate income residents.
A total of $11,900 will be spent on administration by CT Consultants of Austintown.
Application for the funds must be submitted by July 5, "although you're pretty much guaranteed the grant each year," said Julie Green, a staffer with the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
What's appealing about CDBG funds, Mayor James J. Melfi said, is that no local funds are required to get the grant.
It's one way improvements can be made to a city that is facing a $2 million deficit.
"I'd love to have more of that [free] money," Melfi said, noting it helps the city budget and bolsters neighborhoods.
Other grants
CDBG funds are not the only money the city has received in the past year that doesn't require any matching dollars.
The Ohio Department of Development has provided $550,000 a grant to improve housing stock, Melfi said.
The money is used to make improvements to bring homes up to building standards and for emergency repairs.
The mayor pointed to a $300,000 distress grant to make improvements in Parkwood on the city's south side.
The city also has received $190,000 in state Issue 2 money and Girard will reap the benefits of a $3.2 million sewer project along Shannon Road in neighboring Liberty Township, Melfi added.
Untreated sewage flows into Girard from failing septic systems along Shannon in Liberty.
"Grants are a very happy thing for us." Melfi said. "We're not leaving any stone unturned" in seeking them.
Currently, the mayor explained, he and the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp. are trying to determine if the city qualifies for what is termed "microenterprise" funds through the state development department.
The funds are designed to help small businesses that may not have access to commercial loans get started or expand.
yovich@vindy.com