Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding had a tremendous positive impact across Erie County in 2021, with a federal investment of $1.56 million leveraging over $946,000 in local funding to spur the completion of thirteen projects in municipalities included in the Erie County Consortium, improving infrastructure and quality of life for thousands of county residents. The Erie County Consortium consists of 34 municipalities, generally located outside of the City of Buffalo and the first-ring suburbs. The City of Buffalo, along with the Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and Tonawanda are NOT Consortium members and receive their own grant funding directly from the federal government to fund projects in their respective municipalities.

“Community Development Block Grant funding reinvigorates communities, improves business corridors and supports infrastructure repairs across Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “These investments allow communities to conduct critical projects that they would not be able to on their own, building stronger neighborhoods and bringing people together.”

Poloncarz was joined today at the Town of Grand Island Town Hall by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Town Supervisor John Whitney to announce the list of completed projects, which included ADA improvements and the installation of a new elevator at Town Hall.

“Year after year we’ve fought to protect Community Development Block Grant funding during the budget process because it provides valuable federal resources which give local governments the flexibility to invest in projects and programs that meet a community’s unique needs,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This list of investments represents the range of enhancements supported by the program and is just a fraction of projects made possible with the $25 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding allocated to Western New York municipalities in 2021.”

Town of Grand Island Supervisor John Whitney added, “I am thrilled to see our new elevator in service and I would like to thank Congressman Brian Higgins, County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and DEP Community Development Block Grant Representative Paul D’Orlando for their help in bringing this project to fruition.  Grand Island’s Town Hall has always been accessible, however, if you are not familiar with the layout, it is not convenient to get to the upper level if you enter at the lower level.  This elevator corrects that problem.  Now, individuals with mobility or accessibility problems can access either floor without leaving the building.”

CDBG-funded projects completed in 2021, along with the amount of investment, include:

• Town of Eden- Green/Welch Lane Sidewalk replacement- $45,710
• Town of Elma- Senior Center Improvements- New flooring- $50,000
• Town of Concord- Senior Center Parking Lot Re-Paving- $60,000
• Town of Grand Island- ADA Improvements- Town Hall- Elevator Installation- $189,000
• Town of West Seneca- Purchase of Senior Van- $60,000
• Village of Orchard Park- ADA/Curb Cut Improvements- Central Business District- $50,000
• Town of Newstead- Senior Center Improvements- installation of touchless features in restrooms and new LED Lighting- $32,000
• Village of Gowanda- Central Business District Municipal Parking Lot Re-Paving- $150,000
• Village of Gowanda- Hollywood Theater Improvements- New Marquee- $100,000
• Village of Alden- Elm Street Drainage/Sewer Improvements- $150,000
• Village of North Collins- Park/Harrison/Front/Wood Streets Waterline Replacement- $250,000
• Village of Akron- Main Street- Central Business District- Sidewalk/Curb Cut Improvements- $64,500
• City of Tonawanda- Grove/Minerva Streets Sanitary Sewer Re-Lining- $150,000

Over the past five years CDBG investments totaling over $10.4 million have improved the quality of life in consortium communities across Erie County. This includes projects in the Towns of Brant, Newstead, Alden, Collins, Wales, West Seneca, Aurora, Elma, Orchard Park, Clarence, Evans, Marilla, Concord, Lancaster, Boston, Eden, and Grand Island as well as in the Villages of Gowanda, Springville, Angola, Depew, East Aurora, Akron, Lancaster, Orchard Park, Alden, and North Collins; and the Cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda. CDBG funding is also provided annually to the Rural Transit Service.

The projects were recommended for funding by a 16-member Selection Committee including thirteen   Supervisors and Mayors from Consortium communities and three members of the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning.

For more information:

On Community Development programs in the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit

https://www2.erie.gov/environment/index.php?q=community-development  

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