Public Notice

Independence Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

Substantial Amendment

The City of Independence has prepared a substantial amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2009 Action Plan which proposes to allocate $180,000 in CDBG funds to projects that meet the objectives of the City’s Consolidated Plan for housing and community development.

In keeping with the purposes of the CDBG program, funding will be allocated to activities that provide a direct benefit to the low and moderate income community through improvement of certain public facilities and the creation of jobs and other economic development opportunities. New activities recommended for funding include:

Public Facilities:

IBS Industries, Inc. Eco Care Center Improvements - $30,000.00

IBS Industries, Inc. is a not for profit corporation that provides sheltered workshop employment for disabled adults. CDBG funds will assist IBS with the installation of a fire suppression system in its Eco Care Center, a community-based recycling processing facility that also serves as a sheltered workshop for the disabled. The sprinkler system is required for the facility to meet City Fire Code.

Neighborhood Parks Improvements - $50,000.00

The proposed improvements include installation of playground equipment, handicap accessible sidewalks and security lighting at Hiram Young Park; and, as funding will allow, other CDBG eligible parks facilities. A CDBG eligible park must serve a neighborhood where at least 51% of residents have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.

Economic Development:

Job Training Assistance Program - $100,000.00

The City of Independence, in cooperation with the Independence Council for Economic Development, will subsidize the cost of job training for low and moderate income Independence residents that are employed in industries supported by the Enhanced Enterprise Zone requirements.

The funding required to support this Substantial Amendment includes $ 70,000.00 in unallocated 2009 prior year funds and $ 110,000.00 reallocated from the 2008 Fairmount Carlisle Home Investment Program.

Public comment can be submitted to the Community Programs Supervisor, Community Development Department, 111 E. Maple, Independence, 64050, via e-mail at cleakey@indepmo.org, or by phone at 816.325.7397. The deadline for receipt of public input is March 10, 2010. The City Council will hear and vote on the proposed amendment March 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. If approved the substantial amendment will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development no later than March 19, 2010.