SEAGO recommends SSP and design work to make Huachuca City projects shovel‑ready for CDBG

SEAGO planner William Osborne used the March 21 hearing to outline a two‑step strategy for communities seeking to maximize CDBG impact: pursue state special projects (SSP) or other design funds to complete engineering and environmental review, then apply for implementation funding from the regional CDBG account. Osborne said SSP awards can reach up to roughly $700,000–$750,000 for projects that need design or phased work, while the regional account rotation delivers roughly $515,000 to Cochise County jurisdictions in a given year.

Osborne also reviewed Colonias rules (eligibility limited to communities that meet objective criteria such as lack of potable water or sewage and a pre‑1991 establishment date), noting Colonias funding is competitive and requires shovel‑ready proposals and income‑qualified client lists for housing rehab work. Mayor Wallace and Town Manager Suzanne Harvey asked SEAGO to verify whether a nearby trailer park is inside town limits and therefore eligible for Colonias consideration; Osborne said SEAGO would confirm the designation.

Councilmembers agreed to include SSP and Colonias possibilities among funding pathways to study while staff compiles the public’s candidate project list for a future resolution.