One Valley community applies for block grant funds

One community in Douglas County applied for Community Development Block Grant funds by Friday's deadline.

The Ridgeview subdivision in Indian Hills applied for nearly $300,000 in funds. If awarded, the money will be used for the second phase of its sewer extension project to service an additional 18 homes.

Ridgeview, at the north end of Douglas County, is nearing completion of the first phase of the project funded by block grant funds.

Ridgeview received $108,629 for construction of a sewer line extension to service 40 Indian Hills residents last year through the grant program.

High levels of nitrates were found in the area several years ago. A study to determine how to correct that problem was funded by grant funds three years ago.

Community Block Grant funds typically are awarded to areas with low- to moderate-income residents. The federal program funds projects where at least 51 percent of residents have annual household incomes of 80 percent or less of the median income in the county.

In Douglas County, only the Ridgeview and Topaz areas meet that criteria.

Mimi Moss, county planning and economic development manager, said the grant programs are funded through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, which allocated up to $2.8 million to Nevada for the 2002-03 fiscal year.

The county hosted an informational meeting about applying for the grant funds Jan. 4. The deadline for applications was Jan. 17.

Douglas County competes with 27 other rural counties and cities in the state for the money.

Moss said Ridgeview's applications will be submitted to the Douglas County Commission in March for approval.

Only two applications are allowed per county or city.

Moss said, typically, the state receives 50 to 60 applications each year for Community Block Grant funds.