The City of Brownwood was awarded a Community Development Fund grant in the amount of $275,000 to replace failing sewer mains and appurtenances in the Bluff View Estates Subdivision.

Out of the 36 applicants, Brownwood ranked second in the application process.  On Monday, August 22, 2011, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes received a letter stating that the Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) was pleased to inform the city that it has been awarded a Community Development Fund grant in the amount of $275,000.

“Thank you for your continuing efforts on behalf of the citizens of the city of Brownwood,” stated Interim Executive Director of TDRA Howard G. Baldwin, Jr. in the letter.

The mayor will execute an interlocal governmental cooperation contract with the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) for the administrative services of the grant.

The city will engineer and inspect the project along with replace other lines in the area using pipe bursting technology to reduce the contract price to meet the city’s in-kind match of 10%.  In addition to the in-kind work, the contract price includes $27,500 for the WCTCOG to help make application, administer the grant (from start to finish) and to meet all federal/state administrative regulations.  Funds for the in-kind match will come from the city’s operating and maintenance budget.

Roads will be rebuilt using street funds after completion of the project.

The City of Brownwood anticipates the construction will begin in summer 2012 and be complete in 60 days.

The funds for the grant are made available from appropriations for the Community Development Block Grant Program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The program is administered for the State of Texas through TDRA through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (TxCDBGP).