DANVILLE — Danville Mayor Joe Mazzari urgently asks residents to answer if someone comes to their door next month. This is a crucial step for the village’s future.
“We’re doing a village-wide survey to establish income status to get future grants,” Mazzari explained.
“We did not meet criteria for low- to moderate-income, so we cannot apply for CDBG grants in the future unless we do a survey.”
Only communities where 51% or more of residents qualify as low- to moderate-income can apply for CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) money.
The village falls just short of that criteria.
“We missed it by one point last time, so this is a good time to do the survey and see where we are,” he said.
The village zoning officer, administrator, clerk, assistant clerk, and Mazarri will conduct the surveys starting Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Only houses within the village limits are eligible to complete the survey. Mazzari said officials won’t knock at every house but will survey roughly 200 to 250 houses in a randomized pattern.
“They gave us six months to have it done. We’d like to have it done in 30 days,” Mazzari said.
Surveyors will ask about the number of household members and their income.
“You don’t have to put your name on the survey, but you do have to put your address on it,” Mazari said.
“If the percentage is where it might be, we can submit that to the government. If they give us that accreditation, we would meet the initial requirement to apply for the grant.”
Answering the door is critical
Mazzari said the village can access thousands of dollars by meeting the income criteria.
“Every other year we could apply for an infrastructure grant and other things,” he explained.
“We’re looking to get the word out that this is very, very important to answer if someone comes to their door.”
Danville Mayor Joe Mazzari
The village completed some infrastructure work through grants and loans, but the village needs to do more. Additionally, Mazzari noted that loans place a burden on residents.
The village recently installed a new water line and is working on extending it down Market Street.
“We have not gotten that money yet, but we can’t apply without meeting this criteria,” he said.
He noted that Martinsburg has “done some good things” with CDBG money, including installing a new water line.
