The City of Radford, as well as Blacksburg and Christiansburg, have each received an additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which announced the grants Wednesday.
The three awards totaled $396,605 and were provided by the CARES Act, supported by Morgan Griffith, the congressman for Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. The Town of Blacksburg received $210,594, the Town of Christiansburg received $111,118, and the City of Radford received $74,893.
In response to the grants, Griffith said the additional funds would help provide a little relief during trying financial times.
“Community Development Block Grants support local governments in maintaining important services and promoting quality of life in their jurisdictions,”said Griffith. “Additional funding from this grant program during the pandemic will provide a measure of relief to New River Valley communities.”
CDBG funds are limited in their usage. According to HUD, they are to be used “to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.”
The funds are often used for quality of life projects that enhance living environments by removing blighted properties. In Radford,for example, CDBG funds were used to remove the old oil change business on West Main Street that was vacant for years and replace it with the Triangle Plaza pocket park. The pocket park recently had ambient lighting added to it so it can be used after dark.