Committee reviews $875,000 CDBG application, recommends funding downtown Phase 6 and social services

Assistant Director Amy Uas of the Community Development Planning Department told the Economic and Community Development Committee that Gardner can apply for up to $875,000 through the CDBG mini-entitlement program for FY2026, with the application due April 21.

"We have available to us through the CDBG mini-entitlement program up to $875,000 that we can apply for for our fiscal year 26 application," Uas said, and told the committee the steering committee met the previous night to recommend which projects to include.

The steering committee recommended a mix of reallocations of prior-year funds and FY26 funding. Highlights Uas named included continuing and extending existing public social-service grants at their full requests and funding downtown Phase 6 — City Hall Avenue improvements including street lighting, curbing, sidewalks and accessibility work for the block between Connor Street and Pleasant Street. Uas also listed specific recommended allocations drawn from prior-year carryover and FY25 funds: a $30,000 allocation for a full-time coordinator at the Gardner Community Action Committee (from FY25 funds); $4,500 for Saint Paul's Episcopal Church's Laundry Love program (the sole new social-service project in this round); roughly $9,000 from FY23 and $6,000 from FY25 for Gardner athletic program scholarships; and $15,000 from FY25 for Voices of Truth prevention and survivor-support services.

Mayor (speaker 3) and committee members praised the selection. "I think these are all good projects," the mayor said, adding the group expected the package to make a "big impact on the city." The chair confirmed the item was on the agenda for the first time, will remain on the committee calendar for the next meeting and then be forwarded to the full council for final approval; Uas said design-and-bidding funds for the downtown project will come partly from FY25 and the remainder from FY26.

The committee did not take a final funding vote at the meeting; the committee's recommendation and the formal FY2026 application will be submitted to the council for its public hearing and vote. The federal application deadline for the mini-entitlement program is April 21, and committee members said the council packet scheduling aims to present the package to council in early April so the city can meet that deadline.

Next steps: staff will finalize the application materials and supporting documentation for council review; the committee asked to receive any additional written material in advance so members can review details before the council hearing.