Refocused grant program aims to better neighborhoods

EAST COUNTY — By providing a little nudge, Manatee County hopes people will reinvest in their communities.

Manatee County’s Neighborhood Services Department soon will unveil a repositioned Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program to fund community projects such as repainting fences, installing benches and improving landscaping.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will vote June 3 on an ordinance that would establish a special taxing district for southwest Manatee County, as well as a community improvement grant program for it. If that ordinance is approved, the Neighborhood Services Department also will relaunch efforts to improve the existing countywide enhancement program.

“While these would be small neighborhood projects, the result can add value to properties and areas that need a push,” said Cheri Coryea, director of the coundepartment. “Generally, folks like where they live, but there’s nothing new happening. This allows people who pay taxes to feel like they are getting something for what they put in.”

Since 2004, the county has offered the neighborhood grant enhancement program depending on available funds. It offers matching grants, with funds distributed on an annual basis.

For example, in 2010, the county split the cost of building a veterans memorial in the Creekwood neighborhood. Creekwood’s master association paid for half of the $4,400 project.

Coryea said Manatee County hopes to start paying for entire approved neighborhood projects, but would accept in-kind donations, likely in the fall.

“It’s to allow there to be the ability to be able to do enhancement throughout the entire community,” Coryea said. “We don’t want improvements to stop. We want to find better ways to partner with the (neighborhoods).”

Coryea said most projects will cost from $1,000 to $2,000.

“There still has to be an element of buy-in,” Coryea said. “But, because we can disperse funds throughout the year, and because neighborhoods can apply for grants, we can do projects anywhere, including East County.”

Coryea said the county could even work with neighborhoods governed by community development districts.

Until Sept. 30, the Neighborhood Services Department has $65,000 to disperse for projects. It hopes to open applying for grants online beginning in August, Coryea said. The department would vet applications based on cost, need, compatibility and other criteria.

Commissioners would have to approve the grants.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected]