$730K coming to Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The federal government provided nearly three-quarters of $1 million to improve several aspects of local living across Sandusky. During a recent public meeting, city officials learned they locked down about $730,000 for 2022 in what's called Community Development Block Grant program dollars. It's a similar amount compared to what Sandusky has received in recent years: $761,000 in 2021, $743,000 in 2020 and $722,000 in 2019. The program provides municipalities, like Sandusky's, with monetary resources in hopes of addressing several challenges to develop viable urban communities. It also aims to improve the quality of life for those falling in the low- to medium-income bracket levels. Among the target areas for how this money will get spent: • Improve the quality and accessibility of affordable housing • Prevent and reduce homelessness • Enhance neighborhoods so people living in low- and moderate-income areas can have a better quality of life • Promote access to public services for special needs populations • Create more youth-based programming • Demolish dilapidated homes Officials designate these funds, in batches, when contracting for certain projects. In the past, this included repairing roads, upgrading parks, bulldozing blighted structures and more. Similar to other applicable communities, federal representatives determine Sandusky's share through a formula, taking into account poverty levels, housing issues and more. Sandusky did receive less, in part, due to an "overall reduction in national local government funding of -4.4%," said Nicole Grohe, the city's community development administrator. Despite a reduction, it's still a lot of cash coming into Sandusky to benefit many people, Grohe said. "The program is important as it provides a vital and reliable funding source for the city to achieve projects yearly," Grohe said. "Without the program, the city's capacity to implement many of these activities would be very limited. The city has been fortunate to receive (block grant) funding since at least 1994."