DCED Sets Dec. 14 Hearing On Federal Disaster Grant Funding Plan For Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, York Counties

On December 9, Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Secretary Neil Weaver announced an in-person and virtual public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 14, in Montgomeryville to discuss federal disaster funding to help residents rebuild and recover from Hurricane Ida.  (formal notice)

The proposed funding plan covers Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and York Counties.

“Residents who were impacted by Hurricane Ida in 2021 are encouraged to attend this important hearing,” said Acting Secretary Weaver. “It will provide an opportunity for individuals to fully review the Action Plan that DCED will be submitting to the federal government and also provide public comment if they so choose.”

Following disaster declarations by Governor Tom Wolf and President Joe Biden due to the effects of Hurricane Ida in 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated a total of $38.28 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to DCED to assist in rebuilding and recovering from the damage. 

HUD has mandated that at least $18,521,600 of the CDBG-DR funds must be spent in Delaware and Montgomery counties, which have been identified as the most impacted and distressed areas. 

Bedford, Bucks, Chester, and York counties are also eligible for funding.

DCED is required to submit an Action Plan to HUD detailing how these funds are to be used. The plan must include the criteria for eligibility, and how the use of the funds will address long-term recovery and restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas.

Click Here for a copy of the proposed plan.

The in-person hearing will be held on December 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center, 1030 Horsham Road, Montgomeryville, PA 18936.  Click Here to join the meeting remotely.

Click Here to submit comments online.

[Posted: December 9, 2022]  PA Environment Digest