The Adams County Commissioners held a public hearing prior to their regular meeting yesterday regarding the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Applications are available for funds that may be used to benefit a variety of activities, including water and sewer systems, streets, housing rehabilitation, emergency housing assistance, recreation and community facilities, new public services, historic preservation, removal of architectural barriers, blight removal, economic development, and administration and planning.
The 2023 CDBG block grant allocation includes more than $320,000 for the county, about $130,000 for Gettysburg Borough, and just over $100,000 for Littlestown.
Although the purpose of the hearing was to allow citizens to understand the eligibility criteria and solicit input on possible activities to be included, only one organization – Community Media of South Central PA – took advantage of the opportunity. The non-profit community media group aims to inform citizens about news and events in and around the community.
“We have been serving the community for 35 years,” said Ceo/Founder/President Raymon Gouker. “We want to capture our neighbors and ourselves at the moment where we do great things in the community, and we want to become part of the block grant program to continue our service.” He said that if their organization is eligible for the funds, it would be used to upgrade the studio and equipment. “We’re a viable part of the community. There is no organization inside or outside of the community like us. We want our community to become the best it can be.”
“Your organization provides a great service to the community,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel. “It’s only a question of if it meets the guidelines.”
The approved projects must benefit low to moderate-income persons, remove slums or blight, or meet an urgent community need. Past projects have included municipal water and sewer line replacements, ADA-compliant curb projects, and fitness membership scholarships. Projects must benefit eligible populations, including abused children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or migrant farm workers.
Applications must be received at the Adams County Office of Planning by July 28, 2023. All applications may be submitted either by mail or by email to dduvall@adamscountypa.gov.
Broadband of the past
In other business, Commissioner Marty Qually took advantage of the light agenda to read an excerpt describing the installation of telephones in the county 75 years ago. Commissioners Phiel and James Martin recalled the “party line” era in which lines were connected, and would-be callers had to wait their turn to use the wall-mounted telephone devices. They recalled the frustration of people who talked too long and some who would dial “0” to aggravate a caller who took too long to complete their conversation.
Qually reported that 28 percent of county residents had telephones at that time, one of the highest averages in the nation. “They used the phone to do business, call the hospital, and everything else,” he said. “Now we’re looking at broadband. We’re just expanding a different type of business.”
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.