A list of over $9.5 million in grant funding acquired by St. Charles Parish thus far in 2009 reveals a further push toward energy efficiency, safety and green practices.
While much of the funding represents federal dollars related to hurricane recovery, others focus squarely on environmentally-friendly projects, such as a new bike path along the West Bank Mississippi River levee and dollars to host the first annual Trash Bash litter cleanup event.
Other highlights include infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks leading to three Norco schools and much-needed water line improvements in Montz.
A list of grant monies awarded or allocated to St. Charles Parish this year so far is as follows:
$4,809,266 in Gustav/Ike Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding through the Housing and Urban Development / Louisiana Recovery Authority / Office of Community Development. The parish is applying to use this funding to construct a new community center in Luling.
A $3,028,776 Hazard Mitigation Grant through FEMA / Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to elevate 16 severe repetitive loss homes in the parish. The grant will fund 100 percent of the elevation cost as well as project management and administrative expenses.
$945,600 in state appropriated funding for the construction of a new emergency operations center. This funding was secured with the help of state legislators,
Sen. Joel Chaisson and Representative Gary Smith.
A $279,211.58 Safe Routes to School Program grant through the Federal Highway Administration / Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to construct a sidewalk and other infrastructure improvements along Fifth Street in Norco, as well as implement a Safe Routes to School Program in the schools on Fifth Street.
A $209,981 National Emergency Grant related to Hurricane Gustav through the U.S. Department of Labor / Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana Inc., YouthROC and the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The funding will be used for the Youth Rebuilding Our Community Program to engage local youth in hurricane recovery and conservation projects while providing tutoring for GED attainment, life skills enhancement and post-program job placement assistance.
A $135,714 Community Water Enrichment Fund grant through the Office of Community Development to upgrade the water line along Evangeline Road in Montz.
A Recreational Trails Program grant through the Federal Highway Administration / Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for $98,000 to construct a walking trail at Rathborne Park in Luling.
A Recreational Trails Program grant through the Federal Highway Administration / Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for $41,000. This funding will be combined with a 2004 Recreational Trails Program grant for $100,000 to construct the West Bank Levee Bike Path from Davis Drive in Luling to the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion project.
A $15,000 grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful to fund the spring Trash Bash event.
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