2017 Block Grants For Projects, Nonprofits in Rockland

NEW CITY, NY — Ten projects worth $1.165 million will receive funding under Rockland County's annual Community Development Block Grant awards. In addition, $217,000 in funding has been awarded to 16 local non-profits for public service programs.

The grants were announced Wednesday by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

They include:

• Comprehensive Sidewalk Program, Village of Haverstraw $96,000
• Village Signage Program, Village of Haverstraw $14,400
• Rita Avenue Culvert Improvements, Village of Kaser $192,000
• Bowline Playground Improvements, Town of Haverstraw $120,000
• Village Street Improvements, Village of Spring Valley $192,000
• Emeline Park Improvements, Village of Haverstraw $72,000
• Safer Streets Phase III, Village of West Haverstraw $192,000
• First Avenue Sidewalks, Village of Nyack $57,600
• Wayne Avenue Sidewalk Improvements, Village of Suffern $174,720
• Senior Transportation Bus, Town of Stony Point $54,556

Total: $1,165,276

Under the Public Service Programs, $217,000 in funding has been allocated to 16 not-for-profits, including:

• Touch Together Our Unity Can Heal, Inc. Rockland County $7,000
• M.A.D.E. Transitional Services Spring Valley $10,000
• Rockland Jewish Family Service Rockland County $10,000
• ARC of Rockland Rockland County $7,000
• Spring Valley NAACP Spring Valley $10,000
• Association for the Visually Impaired Rockland County $7,000
• Bridges Rockland County $22,000
• Center For Safety & Change - After Care Program Rockland County $20,000
• Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Rockland County $20,000
• Community Outreach Center - Workplace Readiness Rockland County $12,000
• Meals on Wheels Programs and Services of Rockland, Inc. Rockland County $10,000
• WESCOP Rockland County $20,000
• African American Historical Society of Rockland County Spring Valley $20,000
• Chiku Awali African Dance Arts and Culture, Inc. Spring Valley $10,000
• Nyack Center Rockland County $12,000
• West Street Child Care Learning Center Inc. Spring Valley $20,000

Total: $217,000

Day announced the grants while visiting Hyenga Lake Senior Housing in Nanuet. There he also described changes in the county's community development office that put to use more than $2 million in federal funding that the feds were going to take back.

The Rockland County Office of Community Development administers the local grants for the national Community Development Block Grant Program. The grants help fund public improvement projects such as the ones listed above.

Day reorganized the community development office in February after a long review including its finances, to ensure full compliance and accountability in the department's operations. In 2016, Dr. Penny Jennings, assisted by the County Auditor and the Law Department, began a top to bottom dissection of the Office of Community Development. Among the changes earlier this year: The administration started proceedings against a Ramapo enterprise and a Haverstraw business for misuse of block grant funds. Internally, four positions were eliminated, disciplinary action was taken and reporting responsibilities were revamped.

SEE:

Review Unlocks Federal Funds at Rockland Community Development Office

County Exec Reorganizes Rockland Community Development

Fighting over Rockland Block Grant Program

Rockland County Exec Ed Day responds to Legislative Demand on Community Development Program