Awarded Stimulus Money, Could Create 60 Jobs
The City of Greenville’s revitalization efforts will gain some assistance thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is now able to fund a grant for lead-based paint testing and elimination in its revitalization and renovation programs.
“Doing this program is so important,” said Community Development Director Merrill Flood, “because the main people in danger from these paints are children under the age of six. It’s not just from them eating paint chips, but the lead hazard can be airborne, which is much harder to control. The City does this program currently, but having the federal money means we can redirect the money we are spending on this into renovating about 170 more homes. ”
This grant will total roughly $1.9 million and will require about a $200,000 match, which includes about $150,000 of in-kind services provided by City staff and roughly $50,000 left over from 1992 bonds. Flood estimates that the money will be spread out to 10 contractors and will create up to 60 jobs over the next three years.
“We’re thrilled to get this because it allows us not only to stretch our resources to a program that we are doing city-wide, but also to help create jobs,” said Flood. “Our receiving this grant is the result of the Housing Division’s hard work to identify potential resources to help the City government better serve the citizens of Greenville.”
The City will likely sign a contract for the grant on or before April 1st.
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