The Community Development Block Grant program exists primarily to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment while expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income via the Ohio Department of Development funding to non-entitlement counties and cities.  In order to achieve this objective, all activities funded through the CDBG program must:

• Benefit low and moderate income persons
• Aid in the elimination of slums and blight
• Address the needs of low to moderate income persons or special populations
• Create and retain permanent jobs
• Provide for the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of public facilities
• Assist with alleviation of public health threats
• Further Fair Housing compliance
• Revitalize the Central Business Districts of local communities

There are two types of programs that exist under the CDBG program; (1) annual grant allocation to the County (Formula Grant) and (2) competitive programs (ie: CHIP, HOME, Downtown Revitalization, New Horizons, Economic Development, etc.)

The "Formula" Grant
The County receives annual funds based on a formula used to determine its allocation, which takes into account population, per capita income, and the local unemployment rate. Each funding year, Greene County is informed of its allocation (usually around $190,000-$206,000), and the County Commissioners then select projects to be funded based on requests from all eligible cities, villages, agencies, and non-profit organizations. The Community Development staff prepares the Formula application, informing the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD-OHCP) how the County proposes to use the funds. The staff administers and monitors projects by securing engineering or architectural services, bidding and contracting for construction services, and ensuring that local, state, and federal regulations are followed.

Each year the Commissioners receive many more funding requests than can be funded with Formula allocation. It is therefore important that the projects to be carried out are selected carefully, taking into consideration both short and long range plans, for orderly and realistic development and redevelopment. As a part of that process, a community assessment survey (CAS) is carried out to determine the needs of each community assisted with federal dollars.

If you would like more information on Greene County's CDBG program and projects, please contact Missy Frost, at (937)562-5350 or mfrost@co.greene.oh.us.