Northampton County Executive: 'No community to leave behind' as grant funding continues

• Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure and the Department of Community & Economic Development have allocated $6,591,909 in grants from 2018 to date
• The grants were distributed through the Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, program to uplift eligible municipalities across Northampton County
• Facilitated by the department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal CDBG program empowers Northampton County's Department of Community & Economic Development to enrich communities by addressing economic, social, and physical aspects

EASTON, Pa. — In an effort to foster thriving communities, Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure and the county Community & Economic Development Department in the past five years have distributed $6,591,909 in grants under the Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, program.
The initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aims to uplift eligible municipalities across Northampton County.

McClure emphasized the inclusive approach, saying in a news release, "In Northampton County, we have no community to leave behind from Wilson Borough to Walnutport Borough and back to East Bangor Borough; we make certain CDBG funds are utilized to improve our eligible municipalities."

By addressing economic, social and physical aspects, the program enriches the lives of low- and moderate-income residents, which county officials said fortifies the community as a whole.

The funds can be used for projects such as accessibility enhancements to public facilities, critical upgrades to utilities, street infrastructure and storm water management.

According to HUD, community development professionals should use CDBG for the following:

• Create significant change within the community and enhance the well-being of every resident, with a particular focus on individuals with limited or moderate income
• Formulate approaches that unite partners and resources, maximizing financial support and establishing valuable community assets
• Execute the program proficiently, heightening the prospects of accomplishing successful projects

Here's a list of municipalities that have received funding from the CDBG program this year:

• Bath Borough - Energy Efficient Street Lighting: $20,000
• Wilson Borough - Parking Lot/ADA Recreation Area Ramps: $150,000
• Walnutport Borough - Willow Ave Water Main & Street Improvements: $75,000
• Northampton County Senior Center - Senior Center Restroom Improvements Easton Area Community Center: $22,220
• West Easton Borough - Accessible Park Improvements: $100,000
• Bangor Borough - Road Paving & ADA Ramps: $130,111
• Penn Argyl Borough - Weona Park Playground Phase ll: $90,000
• Easton Redevelopment Authority (RDA) - RDA Capitol Improvement Projects: $710,407
• Freemansburg Borough - Amphitheater Accessibility - $47,000