Toledo Regional Chamber Of Commerce: Council To Review Vibrancy Initiative And Lead Line Replacement Funding

Press release from the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce:

Tim Schneider

3/8/2022

​​​​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce At its session at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, Toledo City Council will review proposed funding for programs under the City’s Vibrancy Initiative to assist renovating business properties in low to moderate income locations, and the replacement of private lead water lines. Most of the proposed funding falls under Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s spending framework for Toledo’s allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that was previously approved by City Council. ​As part of the Vibrancy Initiative, one measure would fund the White Box Grant Program with $500,000 in ARPA dollars. The program provides matching grants of $25,000 to $75,000 for renovating first-floor interiors of vacant commercial properties to make them code-compliant. Another proposal would fund the Façade Improvement Grant Program with $200,000 in general operating dollars. The program provides matching grants of $10,000 to $40,000 to reimburse expenses for improving exteriors of commercial, industrial, and mixed-use buildings. The proposals would expand both programs which are currently funded using federal Community Development Block Grant money. There is also a proposal to begin the full replacement of lead service water lines with $10 million in ARPA dollars. The program would cover all costs for replacing private lead service lines (the section of water line between the curb and the house) for an estimated 3,000 locations throughout the city over three years. Funding and prioritizing replacement of private lead services lines has been a priority of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce as part of its work in support of improving our regional water system. Funding for these purposes aim to revitalize business properties, support economic growth, and improve the overall wellbeing of our community. Toledo City Council meetings can be attended in person in Council Chambers at One Government Center on Jackson Boulevard in downtown Toledo and can also be viewed via video on the City Council website.

This press release was produced by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.