$706K coming to Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The federal government provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve several aspects of local living across Sandusky. During a recent public meeting, city officials learned they locked down about $706,000 for 2026 in what's called the Community Development Block Grant program. It's a similar amount compared to what Sandusky has received in recent years: $699,000 in 2025, $715,000 in 2024, $708,000 in 2023, $730,000 in 2022, $761,000 in 2021, $743,000 in 2020 and $722,000 in 2019. The annual 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. 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. "The Community Development Block Grant program is important to Sandusky as it enriches the area by bringing in annual federal funds that are used to revitalize the city, covering activities such as infrastructure and other services that the community would otherwise not have funding for," said Nicole Grohe, the city's community development program administrator How will funds be spent? Officials, through feedback from public input, outlined the ways in which they'll spend these federal funds. They'll keep the same criteria as in years past, focusing on several key target areas such as: • Improving the quality and accessibility of affordable housing • Preventing and reducing homelessness • Enhancing neighborhoods so people living in low- and moderate-income areas can have a better quality of life • Promoting access to public services for special needs populations • Creating more youth-based programming • Demolishing dilapidated homes The block grant "program is important as it allows the city to undertake a wide breadth of projects," Grohe said. "Overall the entire grant has a focus on improving conditions for those who are low- and moderate-income, which, in my opinion, positively impacts the city." Here's a look at how the 2026 funding breaks down: • $282,000 for road repaving • $112,000 to remove lead paint for the healthy homes programs; People interested in receiving money to rehabilitate homes and protect them from lead can contact the health department at 419-626-5623 or visit eriecohealthohio.com/lead-hazard-healthy-homes-progam. • $80,000 for administration and planning • $58,000 to advance community development projects • $54,000 for youth program services • $50,000 to support subrecipients to cover diverse needs of the community, which would include giving funds to OHgo and the Erie County Senior Center • $50,000 for code enforcement • $10,000 for clearance/development/acquisition of properties • $9,500 for fair housing programs Note No. 1: The city is carrying over about $126,000 in previously unspent funds, meaning it has about $832,000 in block grant funds to spend in 2026. Note No. 2: In some cases, the city intends to spend other local funds to fully carry out certain projects, such as demolition.