Governor Approves $2.7 Million in Grants to Rural Communities

Funding to Improve Quality of Life for Low and Moderate Income People

CARSON CITY, Nev., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gov. Brian Sandoval recently approved $2,674,781 in funding for 32 projects in rural Nevada aimed at assisting low and moderate income people. The grants, recommended by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, will benefit 82,390 people in rural communities this year and beyond.

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"Awarding theses grants is going to improve the infrastructure and quality of life in the rural communities of our state," said Governor Sandoval.  "From an economic development standpoint, funding of these projects will go a long way towards making the communities more functional and attractive to businesses." 

The grants were made possible by the State and Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), a federally funded grant program aimed at assisting low and moderate income persons in rural America. This year's grants are largely for public works projects and infrastructure, but they also include small business counseling, a revolving micro-loan program, access to health care and emergency services. The projects helped by these grants support economic development efforts in those communities.

The CDBG grants were awarded to projects in the following categories:

• 18 public facility grants totaling $1,856,406
• 3 public service grants totaling $209,875
• 1 housing related grant for $90,000
• 8 planning grants totaling $334,500
• 2 economic development grants totaling $184,000

In addition, $3,382,985 from other sources will provide a total of $6,057,766 in funding for the 32 projects.

The CDBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Nevada, the program is managed by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, and the grantees are local governments throughout rural Nevada.

The CDBG program aims to:

• improve living conditions and the quality of life in rural areas
• make decent housing available in those areas
• provide enhanced economic opportunities to low and moderate income people in rural areas

Each year funds are received from HUD and distributed on a competitive basis. Eligible applicants in Nevada comprise 15 rural counties – each with a population of under 200,000; and 11 incorporated cities – each with a population under 50,000.

SOURCE Nevada Commission on Economic Development