(Posted March 5, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The village of Midway hopes to snag state grant dollars to improve its infrastructure.
“We’d just like to see our village prosper and grow a little,” said Janet Ervin, council member.
Village leaders are applying for a $500,000 neighborhood revitalization grant through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Applications for the competitive program are due in June.
To apply for the funds, the village must provide proof that at least 51 percent of its residents are low- to middle-income. The 2010 Census put the number at 34 percent, which “no one thought was accurate,” said Whitaker Wright of CDC of Ohio, the consulting firm that coordinates Madison County’s CDBG applications.
Midway leaders went door-to-door in December and January, conducting an income survey of residents. They surveyed 107 households and found that 52 percent were low- to middle-income. Last week, the state approved the survey findings.
During the survey, leaders also asked residents what they would like to see done with the funding, should the village receive the grant.
Ervin said residents want improvements to streets and drainage. Low-lying spots in the streets are causing drainage problems for property owners.
Residents also want to see upgrades to the village park. Possibilities include blocking in the shelter house, installing a walking path, overhauling the restroom, and adding new playground equipment.
Additionally, they’d like a new tornado siren and traffic light repairs, said Mayor Renee Hall.
