The 2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was presented to the Schuylkill County Commissioners on Wednesday, which they will review and will take action at a public meeting in March. The county has received $488,206 for the program

Gary Bender, director of the county CDBG, presented the funding applications selected by the committee for the commissioners' approval. They were:The county will continue the demolition program at locations throughout the county which will be selected for a later date. A budget of $56,378 was allocated.Replacement of a firehouse driveway at the Tuscarora Fire Company in Schuylkill Township of $30,000 is a proposed allocation.Stormwater improvements will be undertaken at Walnut Street, Middleport, and in Saint Clair with $46,000 the proposed allocated; Newtown Road in West Mahanoy Township, $62,375; Hancock Street, McAdoo, $32,753; and Walnut Street, Frailey Township, $55,000.Improvement of water lines in Hometown, Rush Township, $60,000, is a proposed allocation and along State Route 4011 from Lucas to Maple streets in Porter Township, $66,000 is proposed allocation.Ongoing management and oversight of the program, public information and planning is funded $79,700Bender also reported funds remaining from the FY 2006 to 2009 from incomplete projects are available and will be budgeted for the following activities:Stormwater improvements will be undertaken in three municipalities including on Shaffer's; Hill Road in Cass Township, which is a continuation of a 2009 project for $53,000; village of Newtown in Reilly Township, which is a continuation of 2008 project for $35,500; and on Hancock Street in McAdoo, $25,087.Schuylkill Community Action will use CDBG funds to leverage HOME grant for housing rehabilitation in amount of $35,000.Present at the meeting were Steve Simchak, chairman of the board of supervisors of Rush Township; and Terri Convillle and supervisor Linda Decindio, of Schuylkill Township, who thanked the committee for accepting their applications.The applications the commissioners approve must then be forwarded to the state for final approval. Bender estimates funds will not be available until late summer for beginning of fall.