Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: NeighborWorks Columbus gets $87,750 federal grant

By Larry Gierer
Friday, July 2, 2010

Cathy Williams says a $87,750 federal grant for NeighborWorks Columbus is going to create jobs.

NeighborWorks has nine rental properties for which the money will be used to make repairs and improvements.

“It’s great to get,” the NeighborWorks president and CEO said Wednesday. “There are folks looking for some work.”

The grant was announced Tuesday by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop.

“Recently, we have seen tough economic times, and the grant for NeighborWorks Columbus is great news for our community,” Bishop said. “I have worked very hard to ensure this grant for Columbus and I look forward to seeing the improvements that will soon be made towards addressing the housing needs of Columbus.”

In a news release from Bishop’s office said that the appropriated funds will assist NeighborWorks Columbus in rehabilitating affordable housing and creating financing or lending tools to assist communities adversely impacted by the foreclosure crisis and economic recession.

The funding for the “Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing Awards” was provided through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010, signed into law on Dec. 16.

Williams said she still is hoping to acquire more funding for new buildings.

She said affordable housing will be needed when the additional families come to town because of Base Realignment and Closure.