LEWISTON- Officials from Lewiston’s Department of Economic and Community Development are seeking public input on how to best spend federal dollars meant to help impoverished areas of the city.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding requires communities to develop 5-year action plans that include feedback from the neighborhoods served. It also requires a CDBG Review Committee, whose members serve for two years and are appointed by the Mayor.
Lewiston receives approximately $788,103 annually in CDBG funds, which come from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD). The CPD also provides Lewiston with funding from its Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Funding for both programs must be approved by the City Council.
According to the city, between both programs, Lewiston receives approximately $1.1 million annually. The funding must be used to “benefit low and moderate-income people, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums/blight or meet an urgent need that poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community.”
From the City of Lewiston Facebook Page
Although the funding will be directed towards certain census tracts, all members of the public are being encouraged to participate in the process.
Residents and those who do business in Census tracts 201, 202, 203 and 204 are especially encouraged to give input. Those tracts, which make up all of the downtown and a few suburban neighborhoods, are some of the most impoverished tracts in New England.
Residents can make their thoughts heard at either of two public meetings, or by taking an online survey.
The first public meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25th from 6pm until 8 pm. It will be held at the Lewiston Armory Senior Room (65 Central Avenue).
The second meeting will take place the next day, Thursday, February 26th from 6pm until 8pm at the Longley School Cafeteria (145 Birch Street).
According to a social media post from the city, refreshments will be provided at both meetings.
For more information, residents can call the Economic and Community Development Department at 207-513-3126.