UNION COUNTY AND UNION COUNTY ON BEHALF OF
KELLY TOWNSHIP AND
LEWISBURG BOROUGH
FFY 2021
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP NOTICE

The Union County Commissioners plan to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. For Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021, the County’s estimated allocation is $224,000. The County will also include in its application CDBG funds estimated at $97,200 on behalf of Kelly Township and $99,900 on behalf of Lewisburg Borough.

A Public Hearing and Project Development Workshop will be held on May 12, 2021, at 6:00 PM. A public hearing pertaining specifically to Kelly Township will be held on May 4, 2021, at 6:00 PM and a public hearing pertaining specifically to Lewisburg Borough will be held on May 18, 2021 at 5:30 PM. Keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19, all hearings will take place as a virtual video web and tele conference. The public is invited to observe and participate in the workshop and hearings as follows: To access via web video, type the link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/8383951780. To access via telephone dial +1 470-869-2200 and enter Meeting ID: 838 395 1780. The hearings will be recorded.

These hearings are accessible to individuals with disabilities and persons with Limited English Proficiency. If you wish to attend and have a disability or Limited English Proficiency and require special accommodations, please notify the CDBG Administrator, Mitzi Gallagher-Long at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing at 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org to make such arrangements.

Proposed project activities must meet one or more of three objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons; prevent or eliminate slums or blight; and/or alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of the community. The Union County Commissioners will commit not less than 70% of the total funds, after administration costs, to projects which principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons (LMI). Housing, community and economic development activities are eligible; examples include housing rehab, demolition or improvement of blighted property and public works projects. A list of eligible activities can be found in Section 105(s) of the Housing and Community Development Act (P.L. 93-383) as amended.

The purpose of the Public Hearings and Project Development Workshop is to discuss the CDBG Program, receive public input on proposed activities and/or proposals for new activities. Union County, Kelly Township and Lewisburg Borough, also wish to receive public comment on potential environmental impacts, the previous use of CDBG funds, and the Three-Year Community Development Plans. All interested parties that are unable to attend may present written comments and project ideas in advance of the scheduled hearing to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at 570-524-4491 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org. Interested applicants should contact the Union County Commissioners, as soon as possible for funding consideration, but in no case later than May 28, 2021. Activities for Kelly Township and Lewisburg Borough should be addressed to those respective municipalities at or before the first hearing, dates and times as listed above. Grant application submission deadline is anticipated to be October of 2021, which is subject to change.

No displacement is anticipated and every effort will be made to avoid or minimize displacement and relocation. Should displacement be required, the applicant is responsible for replacing all low- and moderate-income housing units that are demolished or converted. At this hearing, Union County will disclose the types and levels of assistance that it would make available if persons were to be displaced by CDBG-funded activities.

Union County does not discriminate in access to, participation in, or treatment or employment in its federally funded programs or services. In the event the public believes that discrimination, denied accessibility, or denied equal opportunity has occurred, Union County’s Section 504 officer, Sue Greene, may be reached at 570-524-8634 or sgreene@unionco.org.

Technical assistance will be provided upon request to any groups or persons, especially LMI persons or their representatives, when developing proposals intending to use CDBG funds. The Union County Commissioners will strive to make all programs and activities accessible to the learning, mobility, vision, hearing, and language-impaired persons. If you have a disability or limited English proficiency and require an auxiliary aid or accommodations, please contact Rachel Radel at SEDA-COG, 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD to discuss your needs. Translators will be available upon request.

Any complaints should be written and submitted to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at SEDA-COG, 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-corg.org. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

Übersetzer sind für die öffentliche Sitzung auf Anfrage erhältlich.

Traductores estarán disponibles en las reunions públicas por petición.