Washington County, Jonesborough seek CDBG funding

Washington County held a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss Community Development Block Grants for the 2026 fiscal year. The CDBG program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development. This program grants money annually to cities, counties and states to grow communities with low to moderate incomes. Beneficiaries of the program have several different ways to use the money — improvement to existing water and wastewater systems, public health and safety projects, community infrastructure and revitalization. "The amount of money that can be granted for any type of construction related project is a $1 million grant," Evan Sanders, Community Development Partners project manager, said. "If it is an equipment grant, the max that has to be is $420,000." Sanders said the county is required to make a 19 percent match to the grant. In the past, Washington County has used CDBG funds for a handful of wastewater projects. Washington County is looking at ways they can improve the community that aligns with the program's eligibility. Sanders said that the county has been looking at a number of potential uses for the grant. One of the possible opportunities is to increase the walkability within the county by extending the First Frontier Trail. The town of Jonesborough is also looking at possible projects that could be funded by the GDBG programs. Sanders said one of those projects is to install a roundabout on Boones Creek Rd. near the new Boones Creek Elementary school. This would improve pedestrian safety and traffic. CDBG funds are rewarded in late Nov., and applications are due March 20. The application process goes through a scoring system that focuses on community need, project impact, economic development and feasibility. Sanders said the program can be competitive. "Overall, they generally get about … $26 to $28 million statewide for this program each year," Sanders said. "They are trying to spread money as far as It can go." Sanders said last year there was more than 80 applications submitted and only 45 to 50 percent of the projects were funded. He said that the governor sets aside around $1 million each year to fund one to two projects that were not selected in the application process.