Mayor gives update on grant funding
Marlin Mayor Carolyn Lofton delivered her State of the City address on Feb. 14 addressing several different topics.
Along with the topics of road repair, water bills, and property sale revenue addressed last week she also addressed several ongoing capital improvement projects.
The first of those is the Texas Water Development Board Capital Improvement Water Fund Grant. This grant was $10.4 million and $2.9 million awarded for ongoing water, sewer and drainage projects. Lofton said there will be a Town Hall meeting to discuss this project with citiznes soon.
Next she discussed the TCEQ HHPD DAM Grant which is in phase one. That phase should be completed in February. Phase two will be the dam reconstruction which is pending funding.
The Boating Access Ramp Grant study and design phase was completed in January. That funding was $23,000. Phase two is construction. That funding has been applied for and will be up to $500,000.
The city purchased a tanker, brush truck and rescue equipment with a USDA FAST Grant for $491,000.
The city has used $1.3 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for community micro-grants and new city equipment. The city also set aside funds for updating public facilities and or planned construction for new police and court facilities.
The city also appliced for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant is support of the Falls County Economic Development. This effort would be for the county, Marlin and other particpating cities to work together to form a regional strategic economic development plan and a marketing plan.
Lofton said current grant applications that are in process are: Texas Community Development Block Grant to assist the city with decent housing and expanded economic opportunities; Texas Capital Fund Grant for a Downtown Revitalization Program; Culvert Removal and Replacement and Restoration Grant; and the National Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help with infastructure needs.
“This is an exciting time for Marlin,” Lofton said. “Lots of great things are happening and there’s more to come. We have an amendment on the ballot to fund our EDC so that they can begin the work of actively engaging with business entities to support our local economy through job creation.”