WV Department of Commerce Small Cities Block Grant

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Small Cities Block Grant

Type of assistance: Federal grants.

Purpose: The Small Cities Block Grant program (SCBG) provides federal funds for community and economic development projects throughout West Virginia. The program supports job creation and retention efforts, local government efforts to provide affordable infrastructure systems and community efforts to improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income citizens.

Description: The SCBG program supports the development of viable communities by assisting in the provision of a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunity, principally for those of low and moderate income (80 percent and below median household income). Eligible units of local government may receive SCBG funds if they are documented to fulfill one of three national objectives:
  • Activities benefiting low- and moderate-income people.
  • Activities that aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.
  • Activities designed to meet community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.
Eligible activities: Activities generally eligible for funding include but are not limited to permanent public improvements related to the following:
  • Community centers/senior citizen centers
  • Construction and renovation of public facilities
  • Demolition
  • Economic development
  • Flood and storm drainage
  • Acquisition
  • Parks and recreation
  • Preservation and beautification
  • Technology
  • Water and wastewater facilities and services
  • Community facilities renovation/construction
Eligible applicants: Funds are provided only to units of local government, generally counties and municipalities. Nonprofits, public service districts, utility boards, recreation boards and economic development authorities are only eligible to receive SCBG funds through a subgrant agreement with the unit of local government. The unit of local government must be the applicant.

Contact: For additional information about the SCBG program, please contact the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-4010.