Community Development Block Grant for road repairs

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Muskingum County Commissioners received an update on the 2018 Community Development Block Grant.

The C.D.B.G. is a grant that will give money to communities to pay for road paving and resurfacing. Community Development Director, Sheila Samson said several communities applied for the grant worth over $200,000. Then there was a point evaluation process based on need.

“We review their benefit area, the type of work they’re proposing. We look at their match fund that they’re contributing, if any. We look at past performance. Those are just some of the items that we’re scoring,” said Samson.

Newton Township, the Village of Dresden, and Washington Township scored the highest. She said the commissioners are considering multiple factors, such as the need of the repaving as well as the cost of the project.

“Newton Township at approximately $120,000 and we’re also looking at Dresden for approximately $50,000. Their roads are in so pretty bad condition right now so, their wanting to resurface those. So the residents and communities will have nicer roads and they won’t have to worry about the potholes,” said Samson.

The County Commissioners asked Samson to reach out to the communities to see if those communities can raise money. This will help offset the cost of the repaving projects, which will help pay for what the grant can’t cover.