Those of us living in the NY Metro Area are all too familiar with our ever increasing cost of living.  One way to mitigate our tax burden while still improving our infrastructure and quality of life in the Hudson Valley is through grants.  

As the Director of The Joseph P. Dwyer peer to peer support program at BRIDGES, I am intimately familiar with both the writing and administration of grants.  My office relies on grants to supplement our budget. We are currently the beneficiary of a Federal “Justice Involved Veterans” grant, and are awaiting approval of a New York State grant from “Outdoor RX”, which provides funding for activities taking place in New York’s vast outdoors.

There are numerous  grants available for local governments to fund various initiatives and projects. Some common grants include:

1. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): These grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and aim to promote community development by funding projects related to affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and economic development.

2. Transportation Investment Generating EconomiTTc Recovery (TIGER) Grants: These grants are offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and support transportation projects that enhance safety, increase mobility, and promote economic growth in local communities.

3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants: The EPA provides grants to local governments for projects related to environmental protection, clean water, air quality improvement, waste management, and sustainable development.

4. Department of Justice (DOJ) Grants: The DOJ offers grants to local governments to support law enforcement initiatives, crime prevention programs, victim services, and community policing efforts.

5. Department of Education (DOE) Grants: The DOE provides grants to local governments to improve education outcomes, support school infrastructure projects, fund after-school programs, and promote educational equity.

6. Emergency Management Assistance Grants: These grants are offered by various federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to assist local governments in preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters.

7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants: SAMHSA provides grants to local governments to address substance abuse and mental health issues, including prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.

These programs and others will improve the infrastructure, initiatives, and quality of life for Clarkstown’s  residents.  As your next councilman, I will use my knowledge and experience to help the town avail itself of all available funding, and ensure we remain one of the best places to raise our families.