Lomira CDBG Application Information Presented During Public Hearing

Community Development Administrator Ben Andrews of MSA Professional Services gave a presentation about the Community Development Block Grant–Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) program and the South Avenue project at the Village of Lomira Streets Committee public hearing on Wednesday, April 23.
Andrews began the presentation by explaining the program and its goals.
“Funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA),” stated Andrews. “Its intention is to support low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities and to, essentially, support community infrastructure for various communities all throughout the state. The nice thing about Community Development Block Grant is that it has a very broad use.”
The grant applies to projects relating to streets and utilities, wells and well houses, water tower rehab, downtown revitalization, and wastewater treatment plants, among other project types. If the village receives CDBG funds, it plans to use them for the South Avenue project.
“The maximum award of the Community Development Block Grant is $1 million and a requirement of a 2:1 local match, meaning that for every $2 of CDBG, there’s $1 of local match. The way for communities to maximize Community Development Block Grant dollars is to have a project that is about $1.5 million,” said Andrews. “A lot of communities pay for the construction with the $1 million, and they consider engineering, grant administration, and other things towards the local match requirement.”

The South Avenue project is likely to cost over $1.5 million and includes roadway reconstruction; water, sanitary, and storm sewer replacement; curb and gutter replacement; and sidewalk replacement on South Avenue from Fourth Street to Railroad Avenue and Pleasant Hill Avenue from Main Street to South Avenue. The section of South Avenue from 4th Street to 3rd Street is not eligible for grant funds, but the village would fund that part of the project separately.
To be eligible for CDBG funding, communities must meet a 51% LMI status. In 2024, the village completed an income survey in the project area and met this requirement.
After the presentation, Andrews opened the floor for public comment. No comments were made.