Baldwin County announced last week that it has been awarded a $1.25 million grant and County Manager Carlos Tobar said he hopes this type of funding will become an annual allocation to the local government.
The county was among 36 communities approved for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds this year and the only one in the state that will receive a multi-activity grant. According to the press release issued by the county last Friday, $1 million will go to water and sewer upgrades, while $250,000 will be spent to rehabilitate three homes at 156, 158, and 164 Marion Street.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates the funds through the CDBG program, which is administered through the state’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Tuesday morning, Tobar said the sewer portion of the grant requires a county match of approximately $300,000, which will come from SPLOST funds.
Commission Chairman Johnny Westmoreland expressed his appreciation for the funds and the work of staff members.
“I am extremely proud of the team effort required to acquire a Community Development Block Grant,” he commented. “The program is highly competitive, and I am grateful Baldwin County was awarded the grant to make necessary infrastructure improvements.”
The projects are located in District 1, represented by board member Emily Davis.
“I am proud that we can continue to help our citizens improve their lifestyle and self-esteem,” Davis said. “The repairs to their homes will make them safer. The sewer system upgrades are much needed on Vinson Highway, Thompson, and Marion Streets.”
Westmoreland and Tobar both pointed out that Baldwin County is a Georgia Initiative for Community Housing community and now eligible to seek CDBG funding annually.
“However,” the chairman stressed, “that comes with the requirement for our staff and consultants to work diligently and quickly to deliver these projects to be eligible for the next round. I know they are up to the task and will be glad to support them as they start this journey right away.”
Tobar noted the county also received a grant in 2022.
“That was just completed. It normally is a two-year cycle, and we did not apply in 2023,” he said, adding that the new designation changes everything.
“We are in unchartered waters, and we have to deliver annually now,” Tobar explained. “Actually, we have to be 50 percent done with the grant by June 30th next year. We have not delivered a CDBG at that pace ever.
“Am I a bit nervous? Yes,” he acknowledged. “But we have a great team, and everybody will have to do his or her part. There are multiple things going on: surveys, engineering, writing, etc. We have sewer/water line replacement and housing rehab to deal with simultaneously.”
District 4 commissioner Henry Craig, who is giving up his seat Dec. 31 after 12 years in office, said the grant award was due, in part, to long-range planning by the county.
“For the last 11-and-ahalf years I have worked to encourage the county to find resources and create policy to improve our community,” Craig stated. “Our blight policies were part of policy I advocated. Part of that policy was to help those owners who need help.
“That ‘help’ is often associated with census tracts in our community that have been identified by the federal government for financial assistance of many kinds. When we improve one part of the county with improved infrastructure and housing, we raise the entire county.
“Through the long-term vision of the Baldwin County staff the aging infrastructure of our county continues to be modernized into dependable sewer systems that will continue to support our community families for future generations,” Craig continued.
“That county vision now includes opportunities to address and improve aging housing and address blight across Baldwin County. I am very pleased that several homes in our community will be given resources to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”