This year's application was due in Columbus, Ohio by July 16, 2004 and has been submitted for approval.

As required by ODOD, this year's application included a Community Assessment and Strategy(.doc) for Holmes County.  This planning document helps provide a short range, comprehensive approach to funding capital improvements within the communities of Holmes County.

The following is a list of projects that were submitted for funding for FY 2004. 

Project #1 - Village of Killbuck Curbs and Sidewalk Project

Project #2 - Holmes County Senior Center Improvements

Description: This activity includes the purchase of a walk-in freezer which would allow for savings by buying in bulk of up to $25,000 yearly.  Currently, the center is served with four (4) residential freezers, which is in violation of the requirements of the Holmes County Health Department because of the difficulty of maintaining the required temperature.

The existing convection oven is old, has a constant gas odor, the pilot light will not stay lit and is not capable of satisfactory performance.  A new convection oven will be installed at the Senior Center.

The existing gas range is old, unsafe and also is not capable of satisfactory performance.  A new gas range will be installed at the Senior Center.

As a result of the clientele, the activity primarily benefits LMI under the appropriate National Objective for use of CDBG funds.

Project #3 - Ripley Township Street Improvements

Description:  Replacing existing storm sewers along TR 1037 and the adjacent area along CR 100 in Big Prairie with 497 l.f. of new piping, 1 manhole and 5 new catch basins.

This work will be Phase I of four phases totaling an estimated $207,000 to improve the storm sewer system in Big Prairie.  The Phase I project will provide the necessary improvements in the lower areas of TR 1037 and CR 100 with the upper end completed as part of the Phase II project through State Issue II funds.

The LMI beneficiaries of this project include the 29 households which are 66.7% LMI for these roads in Ripley Township according to a local income survey.  The income survey demonstrates the activity as benefiting LMI under the appropriate National Objective for use of CDBG funds.

Project #4 - Clinton Street Office Building Elevator

Description: This activity includes the installation of an elevator for the Clinton Street Office Building, which houses many county offices (i.e. Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Tax Map, Board of Elections, Data Processing, Title Office, Auto License Bureau).  There is a need to house more county offices in this building (i.e. Geographic Information System Department) and at this time there is only a stairway to access the second floor where the expansion will take place.

Since CDBG funds may be used to remove from such buildings architectural barriers that restrict the mobility and accessibility of the elderly or disabled persons, 100% of the LMI beneficiaries of this project include all the handicapped people of Holmes County to meet the National Objective.

Project #5 - Holmes County Transportation Coordination Public Services

Description: This activity involves a 20% match for the Ohio Department of Transportation Specialized Vehicle Program for four new vehicles in 2005.  The total cost for two wheelchair accessible vehicles would not be additional vehicles to the fleet, but replacement vehicles due to 18 of the Transportation Department's fleet have nearly two million combined miles.