Mayor says Lorain to receive PFAS settlement funds; urges vigilance on potential CDBG cuts

Mayor Bradley updated council on two financial/legal matters: potential changes to federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and recent progress in PFAS litigation that will result in settlement payments to the city.

Bradley said he had learned of a movement in Washington to eliminate CDBG funds for 2026 and beyond. He asked council members to consider contacting the city’s congressional delegation — Senators and Representative Bob Latta — if legislation advancing the change moves through Congress. "It would be devastating to a city like ours to lose that funding," Bradley said, and he said he had sent letters to federal lawmakers describing how the city uses CDBG dollars.

Bradley also described follow‑up from a conference on per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so‑called "forever chemicals." He said city staff contacted attorneys handling PFAS claims and secured participation. "In a very short period of time, last month I found out that we actually are going to collect some money from this PFAS litigation," Bradley said, adding the city expects to receive about "$550,000" from 3M and anticipates a similar settlement from DuPont later this year. He characterized the settlements as helpful but urged continued efforts to limit PFAS in the community.

The mayor asked council to monitor federal developments on CDBG funding and to engage with lawmakers if needed; no council action was taken at the meeting other than receipt of the mayor’s correspondence.