Official Site of the Governor of Virginia

For Immediate Release

Contact

June 27, 2008

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Gordon Hickey
804.225.4260
804.291.8977 (cell)

Hollie S. Cammarasana
Dep't. of Housing and Community Development
804.371.7006
804.519.3540 (cell)
www.dhcd.virginia.gov

Governor Kaine Announces More Than $10 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding
– More than 4,100 Virginians will directly benefit –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced more than $10 million in Virginia Community Development Block Grant (VCDBG) funding for 18 projects throughout 21 Virginia localities. The grants will benefit low- and moderate-income residents and will support community and economic development projects such as housing creation and rehabilitation, public water and sewer systems, downtown revitalization, broadband deployment and health care programs.

"Each year the Community Development Block Grant awards address the basic needs of every Virginian – housing, clean and safe water, healthcare and jobs," Governor Kaine said. "I am pleased to announce these grants that will improve the quality of life for citizens throughout Virginia."

The grants will benefit more than 4,100 Virginians through improved housing, access to clean water, healthcare, jobs and more.

Seven projects focus on housing rehabilitation, four on water and sewer services, four on economic and downtown revitalization – including funding for the construction of the Southwest Virginia Artisan's center and to support the development of a health clinic on Tangier Island.

Since 1982, the federally-funded VCDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia receives up to $19 million annually for this "small cities" grant program. VCDBG grants are awarded through a competitive process. Most projects benefit low- and moderate-income people, and many projects are targeted for the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.

Several projects are noted as either Multi-Year or Letter-of-Intent projects. Multi-year projects are those that will receive a contract allocating funds for one year, and after achieving specific performance targets, will then be eligible for another year of funding. Letter-of-Intent projects are those which will be awarded after the locality meets specific targets.

"Quality of life for Virginians means having a safe, affordable and prosperous community in which to live, work and do business," said Bill Shelton, DHCD Director. "Creating better communities in which to live is the goal of our agency, and these grants are focused directly on that goal."

Details of the grant award projects and amounts are listed below.

Project Title	Locality	Elected Official	Funding Sources	Funds Total
Crozet Meadows	Albemarle, County of	Kenneth C. Boyd, Chairman, Board of Supervisors	CDBG VHDA Low Income Housing Tax Credits Federal Loan Local Private TOTAL	700,000 1,930,000 2,636,737 843,975 134,400 2,736,590 $8,981,702
Project Description: The county will rehabilitate and preserve 28 existing units and construct 38 units of affordable rental housing to serve low-to-moderate income elderly residents of Albemarle County. The proposed development, to be named Crozet Meadows, will incorporate universal design elements for accessibility and is to be built to using environmentally friendly (EarthCraft) methods. CDBG assistance will support the completion of site work including erosion control, water and sewer, curbs and sidewalks, landscaping, and storm water management. The project will directly benefit 83 people, all of whom are low-to-moderate income.
Brunswick County Housing Production Project - Silver Trail Subdivision	Brunswick, County of	Welton Tyler, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State Private Local TOTAL	$700,000 60,000 960,000 18,000 $712,385
Project Description: The county will acquire 12 lots in the proposed Silver Trail Subdivision and construct homes for low-to-moderate income households. These 12 homes will be built on lots throughout the development to encourage a mixed income neighborhood. CDBG assistance will support the acquisition of 12 improved lots, down payment and closing cost assistance to the purchasers, driveway, sidewalk, and landscaping improvements for the 12 homes, and home maintenance education to the purchasers. The project will benefit an estimated 31 people, of whom all are low-to-moderate income.
Cape Charles Broadband Network Project	Cape Charles, Town of	Dora Sullivan, Mayor	CDBG Private Local TOTAL	$ 520,900 24,000 17,500 $ 562,400
Project Description: The town will design and construct a broadband network that is essential to the long-term sustainability of community serving businesses and educational and healthcare facilities. The network will allow for the addition of a computer lab in Cape Charles that will allow all residents access to the internet. The project will install approximately 14,158 linear feet of 144 count fiber optic cable to connect the Town to the broadband backbone and 21,800 linear feet of count fiber optic cable to complete the service loop within the Town. The project will benefit 1,129 people, of whom 655 (58%) are low-to-moderate income.
West 5th Street Improvement Project MULTI-YEAR	Chase City, Town of	A. Duke Reid, Mayor	CDBG Local TOTAL	$1,000,000 9,000 $ 1,009,000
Project Description: The town will reduce substandard housing conditions and improve the quality of life for residents of the West 5th Street neighborhood. A total of 13 homes will be rehabilitated and five will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. Additionally, two vacant structures will be removed, sidewalks and curbing will be repaired, and debris and trash will be removed throughout the project area. The project will benefit 64 people, 58 of whom are low-to-moderate income.
Gilfield Comprehensive Community Development Project MULTI-YEAR	Charles City, County of	Gilbert Smith, Chairman, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State TOTAL	$ 798,322 606,900 $1,403,222
Project Description: The county will install a decentralized wastewater treatment system to serve 25 households in the Gilfield neighborhood. The project will include the rehabilitation of 11 homes, reconstruction of eight homes, including three currently without indoor plumbing facilities, and the removal of two vacant structures. The project will benefit 94 people, 72 of whom are low-to-moderate income.
Clinchco Housing Rehab	Clinchco, Town of	Randy Moore, Mayor	CDBG State TOTAL	$ 500,000 24,000 $ 524,000
Project Description: The town will provide housing assistance to a total of 12 substandard homes in the Downtown area. A total of nine homes will be rehabilitated and three homes will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. The project will benefit 30 people, all of whom are low-to-moderate income.
Fries, Carroll, Grayson Regional Economic Development Regional Project	Fries, Town of Carroll, County of Grayson, County of	Michael Spears, Mayor Sam Dickenson, Board of Sup. Thomas Maynard, Board of Sup.	CDBG ARC TOTAL	$ 700,000 435,840 $ 1,135,840
Project Description: The Town of Fries and the Counties of Carroll and Grayson will complete a mill site revitalization project to remove the physical and economic blight of its existing riverfront property. The project will include the clean-up and grading of 14 acres on a former mill property, upgrades to the site's waterlines, and fiber installation for the development property. This project is a portion of a significant revitalization effort along the riverfront in Fries to capture the tremendous potential for business and outdoor recreation development. The revitalization in Fries adds an additional asset to the already successful Galax-Grayson-Carroll County regional revitalization and economic restructuring effort.
Town of Gate City Business District Revitalization Project	Gate City, Town of	Mark Jenkins, Mayor	CDBG Private Local TOTAL	$ 925,000 413,150 164,810 $ 1,502,960
Project Description: The town will revitalize its downtown area through the elimination of blight and removal of barriers to economic development. The project includes the creation of a facade program to improve 34 buildings, the installation of 1,700 linear feet of storm drain and 12 drop inlets, entryway signage, acquisition of two buildings, the creation of four rental units, and sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements. Improvements to the physical elements of the downtown will create an environment conducive to retail and office activity that compliments the planned Performing Arts and Learning Center location. The project is expected to increase downtown sales, property values, and benefit five low-to-moderate income people in the new housing units.
Riverside Drive Neighborhood Improvement Project MULTI-YEAR	Henry, County of	Jim Adams, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State Private Local TOTAL	$997,302 39,780 94,040 178,550 $1,309,672
Project Description: The county will implement a neighborhood improvement project within the Bassett community. A total of 19 homes will be rehabilitated and two will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. Additionally, two low-to-moderate income families will become homeowners of currently vacant units, two vacant structures will be removed, sidewalks will be repaired, and a neighborhood park will be enhanced. The project will benefit 57 people.
Finchley Housing Project	Mecklenburg, County of	Glenn E. Barbour, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State Local TOTAL	$ 649,334 49,800 1,465 $ 700,599
Project Description: The county will reduce substandard housing conditions and improve the quality of life for residents of the Finchley Community. A total of 11 homes will be rehabilitated and five will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. Additionally, five vacant structures will be removed, and debris and trash will be removed throughout the project area. The project will benefit 34 people, all of whom are low-to-moderate income.
City of Norton Sewer Rehabilitation and Expansion *Letter of Intent*	Norton, City of	B. Robert Raines, Mayor	CDBG SRWEP Rural Development Local TOTAL	$ 1,000,000 1,000,000 514,800 195,200 $ 2,710,000
Project Description: The city is implementing a phased solution to address severe health concerns and water quality issues in the Josephine community. Previous studies noted that approximately 17 percent of households in this community directly discharge untreated wastewater in the water system, while many others had very old and failing septic systems. When completed, approximately 102 households will be connected to the city's public wastewater system. Additionally, the Benges Branch interceptor will be repaired and 5,600 linear feet of eight- inch sewer line, 4,750 linear feet of six-inch sewer laterals, 27 manholes, and related appurtenances will be rehabilitated or replaced.
District 1 Housing Rehabilitation Project MULTI-YEAR	Nottoway, County of	Sherman C. Vaughn, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State Federal Local TOTAL	$ 999,989 620,021 16,250 11,500 $ 1,647,760
Project Description: The county will assist 27 owner occupied substandard households concentrated in and around the Town of Burkeville. A total of 15 homes will be rehabilitated and 12 will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. Additionally five wells and four septic systems will be installed to serve these homes. The project will benefit 57 people, all of whom are low-to-moderate income.
Town of Parksley Community Services Expansion	Parksley, Town of	Rick Chase, Mayor	CDBG Federal Grant Federal Loan Private Local TOTAL	$ 497,400 689,000 740,000 750,000 165,000 $ 2,841,400
Project Description: The town will construct a broadband network to the existing backbone and construct a sewer collection system to serve the business district. Sewage treatment and broadband access are both crucial to the planned enhancement and expansion of numerous community service providers in the Town. The project will include the installation of 4,110 linear feet of gravity sewer line, 1,090 linear feet of force main, installation of 30 septic tanks and repair of three existing tanks, 12,418 linear feet of 48 count fiber optic cable, 7,082 linear feet of 24 count fiber optic cable, and 2,000 linear feet of aerial construction fiber optic cable. The project will allow the service of an additional 1,500 community service clients, 1,350 of whom are low-to-moderate income; and will create an additional 31 jobs, all of which will be for low-to-moderate income persons.
Bishoptown Area Water Project	Scott, County of	Dr. David Redwine, Board of Supervisors	CDBG State TOTAL	$ 1,000,000 1,639,735 $ 2,639,735
Project Description: The county will expand its water system to provide water service to 145 households in the Bishoptown area. The project will include the installation of 33,800 linear feet of 8-inch water line, 16,325 linear feet of 6-inch water line, 17,700 linear feet of four-inch water line, and 5,240 linear feet of 3/4-inch water service line. The project will benefit 303 people, of whom 192 (63 percent) are low-to-moderate income.
Groseclose Sewer Project Letter of Intent	Smyth, County of	Charlie Clark, Board of Supervisors	CDBG SRWEP EPA Grant Rural Development TOTAL	$ 700,000 1,000,000 240,600 1,723,560 $ 4,133,120
Project Description: The county will extend sewage collection lines to connect approximately 70 occupied households and eliminate their existing onsite septic systems, a number of which are aging and incapable of treating the wastewater produced. This will include 25,000 linear feet of gravity sewer lines and related appurtenances. In doing so, the project will remove the hazard of contaminated groundwater and enable occupancy in housing units that are currently vacant due to failed septic disposal systems that cannot be repaired or replaced. The project will benefit 158 people, 115 of whom (73 percent) are low-to-moderate-income.
Tangier Island Health Clinic	Tangier, Town of	James Eskridge, Mayor	CDBG State Local TOTAL	$ 700,000 285,000 115,475 $ 1,100,475
Project Description: The town will develop a new 3,400 square foot health clinic to replace the existing facility, which is dilapidated and insufficient for the current demand for services. The new facility will allow for medical services in the areas of primary care, emergency care, and wellness and prevention services and is crucial to attracting additional medical service providers to the residents of Tangier Island. The facility will include four examination rooms, two procedure rooms, an x-ray room, and additional space for waiting / reception and staff needs. The facility will add exercise stress tests, colonoscopy, gastroscopies, and diagnostic blood services to the services now available, and is expected to serve at least 419 people, of whom 272 are low-to-moderate income.
Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway Regional Project	Washington, County of Abingdon, Town of	Kenneth Reynolds, Board of Supervisors Lois Humphreys, Mayor	CDBG State ARC Rural Development Tobacco Commission Local TOTAL	$ 1,200,000 6,300,000 1,000,000 3,000,000 6,300,000 1,000,000 $15,800,000
Project Description: Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway is a regional effort to provide a more diverse, robust and sustainable economy in southwest Virginia. The center will catalyze the economic development and restructuring of the region by improving the capacity of local artisans to create, market, and sell their crafts. The county will construct a 29,000 square foot multi-story, iconic structure of steel, block, and glass to house the Southwest Virginia Artisan Center. The structure will be a striking feature on the landscape, reminiscent of a turn of the century Gambrel Barn, offering a commanding view of Mount Rogers and Abingdon. It is expected that by the third year of operation the center will draw approximately 269,000 annual visitors, generate more than $2 million annually in arts and crafts and food and beverage sales, and provide a total economic impact to the region of $28 million annually.
Kirby Street Renewal Program	West Point, Town of	Jim Hudson, III, Mayor	CDBG VDOT Federal Home Loan Bank Weatherization Program Local TOTAL	$ 1,000,000 858,500 119,673 18,356 615,498 $ 2,612,027
Project Description: The town will revitalize the Kirby Street community. A total of 22 homes will be rehabilitated and one will be substantially reconstructed (replaced) to meet DHCD Housing Quality Standards. Additionally, the project will install 1,490 linear feet of new eight-inch water line, five fire hydrants, 15,465 linear feet of new sidewalks, 520 linear feet of fifteen-inch storm drain, 660 linear feet of 18-inch storm drain, construct a new visitor center, and provide lighting, cleanup, and landscaping improvements. The project will benefit 94 people, of whom 72 (77 percent) are low-to-moderate income.

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Governor Kaine Announces More Than $10 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding – More than 4,100 Virginians will directly benefit –

Governor Kaine Announces More Than $10 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding
– More than 4,100 Virginians will directly benefit –