City Seeking Grant Funds for Housing Rehab Work

(CITY POLICE CHIEF JASON McFARLAND POSES WITH THE 2019 CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY. THE MEMBERS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR COMPLETING THE ACADEMY AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING)

The Effingham City Council Tuesday agreed to seek $500,000 in state grant funds to aid with the rehabilitation of nine low to moderate income homes in the central and southern parts of town.

The number of homes helped could change dependent upon how much each project costs, and nothing will happen until the grant request is approved.

Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the application for funds is due August 29, and the City should hear whether the request is granted within three to four months.

Similar projects have been undertaken in Effingham through the years; one of the first ones when the City created TIF Districts and the City-County Enterprise Zone. The projects typically help the structures comply with city codes and become more energy efficient.

The City is looking at contributing $10,000 in earnest money in an effort to get the grant request approved.

Also Tuesday, the Council saw graduates of the first Citizens Police Academy in Effingham in several years receive certificates for completing the course.