Local Government Officials and Agencies/Organizations

Local Government Officials and Agencies/Organizations The Portage County Regional Planning Commission is beginning the process required for preparation of the 2026 CDBG Community Development Allocation Grant application on behalf of the Portage County Board of Commissioners. The program provides communities with a flexible housing and community development resource to address CDBG-eligible, locally identified needs that qualify under the Low-Moderate Income benefit or Elimination of Slum and Blight National Objective. The CDBG Community Development Allocation Grant will begin approximately September 1, 2026, and all work must be completed by August 31, 2028. The Commissioners will be able to undertake three (3) projects under this grant cycle. Although the County has not yet received notification of the funding amount to be awarded to Portage County, we need to begin the process of grant application preparation. A Community Development Implementation Strategy (CDIS) is required to be done every two years. The CDIS document will enable the County to prioritize CDBG investments through the participation of all political entities within Portage County that are eligible for funding for CDBG funding consideration. The proposed activities must be designed to primarily benefit low­ moderate income persons, aid in the elimination of slum and blight conditions or address urgent need (such as tornado/flood damage). To determine LMI benefit, the State has provided household income data broken down by community, census tract and block group. If need be, the State allows communities to undertake household income surveys of the project area to determine eligibility. The project area must be at least 51% LMI. The CDIS community meeting will be held on February 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Reed Memorial Library, Jenkins Room, 167 East Main Street, Ravenna. All interested parties that may be seeking 2026 CDBG funds from the Portage County Board of Commissioners are strongly encouraged to attend and to be prepared to report on the community development needs of their respective community, agency or organization. If you are interested in applying for these funds, we will need to know specific details about your project/proposal. All construction projects require that design and engineering be completed and must be accompanied by a certified cost estimate and proof that all other funds required to complete the project are available or will be available. Cost estimates must state that it includes the payment of Davis Bacon Prevailing Wages. The application will be available on the Portage County Commissioners website located at www.portagecounty-oh.gov-count-board-commissioners beginning February 6, 2026, and on the Portage County Regional Planning website located at www.portagecounty-oh.gov/regional-planning-commission. Please return the completed application to the Portage County Regional Planning Commission located at 449 S. Meridian St, Ravenna, Ohio 6th Floor by 4:30 p.m. on March 6, 2026. PLEASE PROVIDE ONE (1) ORIGINAL AND FOUR (4) COPIES. All projects will be reviewed and evaluated in relationship to the State and National Objectives, cost effectiveness, and other local needs. The Portage County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision on grant activities and levels of funding. If you are interested in learning about other CDBG grant opportunities, which may be available throughout the year, the general CDBG Public Hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m., April 16, 2026, in the Commissioners Board Room at the Portage County Administration Building, 449 South Meridian Street, 7th Floor, Ravenna, Ohio. Please contact Barbara Sferra, CDBG Specialist, Portage County Regional Planning Commission at (330) 297-3613 with any questions or concerns. Todd Peetz, Director, P.C. Regional Planning Commission Published in the Record Courier February 10, 2026. February 10 2026 LWOO0452548