County recognized for role in HUD history - Sept. 29, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2014
County recognized for role in HUD history
JOLIET – The Will County Community Development Block Grant Program has been recognized for its role in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 40-year history.
Will County Executive Larry Walsh shared the recognition with the CDBG Board on Wednesday, Sept. 25. In part, a letter from HUD said, “We recognize that the County of Will has participated in the CDBG program for 33 years, allocating over $54.8 million in CDBG funds to support local programs that improve the lives of low- and moderate- income individuals, empower neighborhoods and reinforce strong families.”
The letter and certificate came from HUD Region V’s Community Planning and Development Division.
Local Community Development Director Ron Pullman explained that HUD is committed to improving the future welfare and well-being of its citizens through projects which preserve and build sustainable urban communities.
Shown with the certificate of recognition from the U.S. Department of Human and Urban Development are CDBG Board members and Land Use Department staff members: (front row, from left) Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland, Development Director Ron Pullman, County Executive Larry Walsh, County Board Member Jim Moustis; (back row), Land Use Director Curt Paddock, Michael Smetana, Tim Vanderhyden, Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, Jim Walsh, County Board Member Diane Zigrossi, County Board Speaker Herb Brooks, Kris White, Ron Alberico, Elizabeth Dunn and Tim Mack. Absent were University Park Mayor Vivian Covington and Rhonda Lee-James.
Over the years, Will County has utilized CDBG funds to bring improvements to neighborhoods and communities that have experienced quality of life challenges.
Among the more notable projects, the County has used CDBG funds for activities to improve or mitigate flooding conditions and improve storm water issues, and to bring clean water and sanitary sewer to several hundred homes in Sunnyland, Ridgewood, Lockport Heights, Shorewood, and in Crete, Joliet, Homer and Lockport townships.
The County also invests CDBG funds in activities that serve homeless and at-risk families through a network of not-for-profit agencies.
Pullman, has overseen the County's CDBG projects since the 1980s. "Our annual CDBG allocation continues to leverage both local and state funds and allows us to focus on projects which improve health, safety, housing opportunities, homeless services programs, thus creating more viable neighborhoods and cultivating our communities," said Pullman.
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