Lorinda McDaniel, CDBG coordinator for the city of Enid, said HUD requires the city have a five-year plan.

“That’s where we identify our community needs and outline our goals for how we plan to spend the funds that we will receive over those five years,” she said.

Then, the city must produce a yearly action plan.

Another part of the process is input from the public, McDaniel said.

In a January public hearing, city officials heard comments about the homeless population and the need for services, as well as a possible neighborhood revitalization strategy in the area around Adams Elementary School, Northern Oklahoma College Enid and Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid, she said.

The revitalization talk centered on supporting small businesses, increasing property values, making the area safer and more walkable, McDaniel said.

Funding falls into five categories: administration, public services, housing, economic development and public facilities and improvements.

Recommendations made by the CDBG Funding Commission and approved by the commission include:

• $90,000 for administration.

• $15,000 for Booker T. Washington Community Center operations and $11,190 for elevator repairs.

• $32,878.50 for Enid Street Outreach Services for rent and utility assistance.

• $26,250 for Youth & Family Services for operating costs for the building at 317 N. Grand.

• $90,000 for Community Development Support Association for emergency home repairs.

• $48,000 for West Side Ministries for emergency home repairs.

• $50,000 for Enid Regional Development Alliance for financing for modernization to commercial and industrial businesses.

• $56,386 to 4RKids for improvements to the miniature golf facility.

• $60,262.50 for Hedges Regional Speech & Hearing Center for roof replacement.

• $3,228 for Hope Outreach for video security at Hope Transitions Home.

• $16,895 for YWCA Enid for new flooring in the conference room.

The finalized plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, after a 30-day public comment period.

Written by Kevin Hassler and published in the Enid News & Eagle