Manatee County Government
County seeks community input on $2.3 million in Community Development Block Grant projects
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Jan. 20, 2011) – As they plan how to spend this year’s $2.3 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), within the eligible areas of Manatee County, Neighborhood Services officials are looking for more community input than ever.
Manatee County will host four community meetings to ask residents how they would like to see the money spent to improve their neighborhoods.
“The input we get from these community meetings helps us establish our recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for the use of the Community Development Block Grant and Home Money funds,” said Suzie Dobbs, Community Development manager who oversees the grant. “It’s up to the citizens to tell us what they need and where they need it. If they don’t tell us, we have to assume what they want using data and information we collect throughout the year.”
The meetings will be held on the following dates and venues:
• Thursday, Jan. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Rocky Bluff Library, 7016 U.S. Highway 301, Ellenton
• Thursday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renaissance on 9th, 1816 9th St. W., Bradenton
• Thursday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at South Manatee Library, 6081 26th St. W., Bradenton
• Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Palmetto Library, 923 6th St. W., Palmetto
In years past, the grant has gone to pay for the Pride Park Splash Park; the purchase and rehabilitation of the Bill Galvano One-Stop Resource Center; the expansion of the Just for Girls Club in east Bradenton; and on Lincoln Park improvements. Money received in past years has also been spent on road improvements, street lighting upgrades and new sidewalk and drainage projects within the CDBG eligible areas.
A translator will be available at all meetings for any Spanish-speaking persons.
For more information, call Suzie Dobbs at (941) 749.3029, e-mail her at suzie.dobbs@mymanatee.org or visit online, www.mymanatee.org