CDBG Funds Thirteen Municipal Projects across Erie County; Erie County Investment Leverages Local Funding
Three Public Hearings Scheduled for Input on Draft Action Plan
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced the selection of thirteen municipal projects for inclusion in the Erie County Consortium 2026 Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) application. The application, which will be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval, recommends a total Erie County expenditure of $1,785,267 for the projects, an investment which will leverage $2,038,724 in local funds and in-kind resources.
“The Community Development Block Grant awards are meant to spur communities to invest in projects that improve the infrastructure and quality of life in our cities and towns. These funds, leveraged with other funding secured by the municipalities involved, provide the impetus for improvements all around Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “CDBG funds serve a critical role in revitalizing our area, and I look forward to the completion of the projects listed for 2026.”
The Erie County Consortium consists of 34 municipalities, generally located outside of the City of Buffalo and the first-ring suburbs. The selected projects are targeted toward a variety of building and public infrastructure improvements which primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The City of Buffalo and the Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga and Tonawanda receive their own CDBG funding and are not members of the Consortium.
The 2026 projects include:
• City of Lackawanna – Lackawanna Senior Center Improvements - $149,841
• Village of Gowanda – St. John’s Park Improvement- $150,000
• Village of East Aurora – Hamlin Park Walkways - $103,505
• Town of Elma – Senior Center Improvements - $37,421
• Town of Holland – Water House Pump Improvements – $150,000
• Town of Newstead – Furniture Replacement for Akron/Newstead Senior Center- $9,500
• Village of Springville – Waverly Street Waterline Replacement- $150,000
• Village of Alden – Street Improvement Project- $150,000
• Town of Evans – Evans Waterfront Park Pavilion Restoration Project - $150,000
• City of Tonawanda – Sidewalk Replacement - $150,000
• Town of West Seneca – Improvements to Senior Center - $150,000
• Village of Depew – St. James Playground Improvements - $150,000
• Various Communities - Rural Transit Transportation Service: $285,000
The projects were recommended for funding by a 14-member Selection Committee,
including 12 Supervisors and Mayors from Consortium communities and three members of the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning. The Committee reviewed a total of 25 projects seeking $4,294,992 in federal assistance.
2026 Action Plan for Community Development Public Hearings Dates and Locations:
Three (3) public hearings have been scheduled to discuss the draft Action Plan for 2026. The public is encouraged to attend these hearings to provide input on the Action Plan.
Public Hearings will be held on:
- Tuesday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m., Lackawanna Public Library, Community Room, 560 Ridge Road, Lackawanna:
- Wednesday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m., Hamburg Community Development Office, 6122 South Park Avenue, Hamburg and
- Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m., City of Tonawanda, Court Room, 200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda.
Meeting rooms are fully accessible. Persons with special needs who are unable to attend any of the three public meetings can participate in a Public Hearing Meeting and Conference Call on Wednesday, January 21 at 9:30 am at the Edward A. Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, 10th Floor, Room 1004, Buffalo, NY. To participate by phone, call 716-858-2468; enter Meeting Number 6409 and Attendee Access Code 3690.
For more information:
On the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, visit http://www3.erie.gov/environment/
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