OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — Butler County Commissioners have approved the allocation of more than $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant project funds.

Projects approved Monday, Feb. 25, include the demolition of an old school building and a project designed to clean up a railroad overpass.

Butler County receives money from the federal government to spend on projects of its choosing. County Community Development Director Donna Everson said the county received $1,145,694 in CDBG dollars this year. The amount is about $37,000 less than the county received in 2007.

"I'm not surprised it was reduced," she said. "Every community is losing money."

The county determines which municipalities or non-profit organizations receive funds based on the importance of the proposed project, how many people it will benefit and if the organization was a recent recipient of other dollars, Everson said.

The village of Somerville will receive the largest chunk of money. It was approved for $146,000 for the demolition of a vacant school building. The funding was $10,000 above what the village requested, but Everson said the additional money was awarded with the anticipation the project would need permits from the Environmental Protection Agency.

If any project comes in under budget, the party must return any additional funds to the county for dispersal to other projects, Everson said.

Among the grant recipients was the city of Fairfield for its plan to screen in the Ohio 4 railroad overpass near Symmes Road. The announcement was well received by county Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.

"Trying to get the railroad to paint that overpass was like hitting my head against the wall," he said.

Everson said the county receives the money from the federal government after May 1, likely in June or July. However, she said communities can begin spending now that the awards have been announced.

Staff Writer

Josh Sweigart contributed to this report.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.