A Moment With the Mayor

Moment with the Mayor for December 9, 2017
CHIP Grant Awarded
In early May 2017, the Medina County Commissioners filed an application for a Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) grant and the Ohio Development Services Agency recently announced that the County’s application was approved for funding. The CHIP program provides various forms of housing renovation and repair assistance to income-eligible households within the jurisdictions that are covered by the grant application. Since the City of Wadsworth was a partner with the County on this application, I am happy to announce that a significant share of the grant award is available for use by income-eligible households in the City of Wadsworth. We estimate that approximately $386,000 will be available to income-qualified households in the City for home rehabilitation and home repairs.
The home rehabilitation portion of the grant is used to make a comprehensive series of home improvements to bring a home into compliance with current building code requirements. The average cost of a home rehabilitation is about $44,900 and we anticipate providing funds for six (6) households citywide. The home repair program is used to make one or two improvements or repairs that eliminate building code deficiencies when the home is not a candidate for full rehabilitation. The average cost of a home repair project is about $12,750 and we expect to fund thirteen (13) projects within the City. No more information about the CHIP is available at this time, but it will be posted to the City’s website when it becomes available. In December and early January 2018, the City and County will be working on a strategy for implementing the CHIP program and applications for assistance should be available near the beginning of February 2018. Stay tuned!

Board Members needed for Library Foundation
Are you looking for a way to give back to the community and support your public library at the same time? The Wadsworth Public Library Foundation is now accepting applications for membership on its governing board of directors. The Foundation works to raise resources that help the Library further its mission above and beyond the commitment of tax dollars by seeking gifts, bequests, charitable donations and through the annual Dave Hopkins Bookin’ 5K Run.
After supporting the recent purchase of a new community outreach van and providing substantial funds for the children’s area renovation and early literacy interactive play area, the Foundation is supporting new forward momentum at the Library. Consider joining this energetic and dedicated group. Applications are due by December 31, 2017. Click here to download application. Please send your completed application to:

Wadsworth Public Library Foundation
Attention: Board Search
132 Broad Street
Wadsworth, OH 44281

Wadsworth First Fridays
Main Street Wadsworth will be hosting a brand new event in the downtown area, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., on the first Friday of each month, beginning January 5, 2018. This new event will revolve around different themes each month, and focus on fun, food, live music, and art. The purpose of First Friday is to increase foot traffic to downtown businesses and organizations, who will offer a variety of fun activities and events. More information can be found at www.mainstreetwadsworth.org or on Facebook. Main Street Wadsworth is a non-profit organization dedicated to the economic revitalization of Downtown Wadsworth.

Until next week……

Mayor Robin Laubaugh