Aug. 30, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has submitted his proposed allocation of $2.189 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the Legislature. He proposes apportioning the money among 37 not-for-profit and government agency projects.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the program is administered in the territory by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.
The deadline for the territory to submit its proposal to the federal government was July 31. Turnbull sent his request to the Legislature on Aug. 13. In his letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd accompanying his proposal, Turnbull wrote: "Recognizing that you and your colleagues would need additional time to consider and approve the bill, I will request an extension."
Planning and Natural Resources reviews all applications received for CDBG funding and makes its recommendations to the governor. For this year's funding, 89 applications were submitted, and the total funding sought was $13,403,219. By federal law, no more than 15 percent of the grant money may be used for public service projects. All of the remainder except for program administration support is to be used for construction projects. By V.I. law, the total funding must be divided equally between the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts. The Legislature must approve all V.I. participation in federally funded programs.
The governor stated that funding was sought for a total of 37 public service projects, of which 19 were approved; for a total of 52 construction projects, of which 18 were approved. Total proposed allocations by island are $803,950 for St. Thomas and $71,650 on St. John for a total of $875,600, and also $875,600 for St. Croix. The allocation for administrative support is $437,800.
Here is how Turnbull proposes to disburse the CDBG project funds:
Public service
St. Thomas:
Anglican Outreach Services — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Down Street People — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of a swimming program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,000.
Kidscope — crisis intervention, counseling and other support services to young victims of abuse and violence and their families, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an outreach center for the homeless, $27,300.
St. Thomas Livestock Association — operation of a summer agricultural program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Housing Authority — operation of a scuba diving program for low- to moderate-income youths within the housing projects, $7,500.
V.I. Missions — operation of an after-school and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school training program for the disabled, $15,000.
We From Up Street — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
St. Croix:
Camp Arawak Program — operation of a job-skill training program for low- to moderate-income individuals, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of an after-school sports clinic for about 100 at-risk youths, $25,000.
Proyecto SAL — operation of an after-school program to provide tutoring services to children experiencing difficulty with the English language, $16,900.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, $25,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — operation of an after-school theater program and a weekend library, $10,825.
John Folly Learning Institute — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,825.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Julius Sprauve School, $10,000.
Construction
St. Thomas:
American Legion Post 90 — renovation of facility to improve lighting and remove asbestos, $40,850.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation and upgrading of restroom facilities at Coki Point Beach, $39,300.
Long Path/Garden Street Association — construction of a community center and playground for neighborhood residents, $250,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — matching funds for 8 single-room units for the homeless, $24,000.
St. Thomas Administrator — rehabilitation and expansion of the fishermen's facility in Frenchtown, $220,000.
St. Croix:
Adventist Development Relief Agency (Hispanic) — construction of a facility to provide after-school programs and operation of a soup kitchen, $60,000.
Agriculture Department — expansion of the St. Croix Farmers Market, $50,000.
Arma Pavie Sport Club — rehabilitation of a facility and improvement of a baseball field, $40,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $162,700.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — construction of a recreational and community center at Canegata Ball Park, $200,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — expansion of the Vincent Mason pool recreation area to include existing slab, adding of picnic benches and installation of lights, $20,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation of the Police Athletic League Burning Bush recreation facility and construction of a handicapped-accessible restroom, $40,000.
Our Town Frederiksted — grants and low-interest loans for homeowners in the Frederiksted area to rehabilitate their residences to safe and decent living conditions, $115,000.
St. Croix Foundation for Development — renovating to revitalize historic town structures in Christiansted and Frederiksted, $50,000.
Women's Coalition of St. Croix — construction of a fence to secure a public facility and ensure the safety of clients, $21,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — rehabilitation of a facility for use for theater workshops and as a weekend library, $10,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at Julius Sprauve School to increase handicapped access, $30,000.
