Taylor is receiving $659,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants to fund vital community projects, including work on aging waterlines, officials announced.
The city is among a dozen area municipalities and nonprofits awarded more than $2 million after going through stakeholder meetings and public hearings.
The funds are administered by Williamson County. Each year the city applies for grants to help support infrastructure and other improvements to meet the challenges of the future, officials said.
“CDBG grants are vitally important to Williamson County, especially on the east side. These funds allow us to carry out much-needed projects that directly revitalize neighborhoods, allow economic development and provide improved community facilities and services,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.
CDBG is a program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development intended to encourage affordable housing and community- development initiatives for low and moderate- income residents.
The county received $2,115,309 this year to help cities and nonprofits.
According to the county’s action plan published last month, Taylor is set to receive over one-third of those funds for waterline improvements at Fifth and Murphy streets.
“The neighborhood around Fifth Street and Murphy Street has been neglected and forgotten for some time. With the assistance of CDBG funds, this area can be rejuvenated and reintegrated into the community., subsequently contributing to the tax base and supporting future projects in Taylor,” said Councilman Robert Garcia. “The CDBG funds significantly expedite the completion of this project.”
The proposed waterline work would replace existing undersized, 2-inch water mains, which do not meet current standards, officials said. The water mains also break often and require frequent repairs.
David Legere, a local developer trying to redevelop an abandoned neighborhood on Murphy Street, has faced issues with the city’s crumbling water and wastewater infrastructure.
“The Wilco CDBG grant is terrific news. In addition to helping the residents in this area, by addressing longstanding infrastructure problems, it will also enable new opportunities for additional housing – a key component of Taylor’s downtown master planning,” Legere said.
The county received grant applications from almost every municipality and several nonprofit agencies. Six stakeholder meetings and three public hearings were conducted in April to gather input on affordable housing and community needs in Williamson County.
Representatives from Hutto, Granger, Coupland and Taylor attended meetings with the county to discuss housing needs, economic development and market analysis. In many talks, improving infrastructure ranked just as high as affordable housing.
“In areas expecting growth due to incoming employers, especially southeastern Williamson County, stakeholders were concerned with the additional strain placed on water and sewer services, utility connections to new housing, and wear-andtear on streets,” read the county’s action plan.
In all, the county awarded grant funds to 12 projects. In addition to Taylor’s allotment, Granger was approved for $81,000 to improve public facilities and wastewater infrastructure, and another $62,500 to rehabilitate public housing units.
Some countywide projects receiving approval included $240,000 for Habitat for Humanity, $50,000 to Hope Alliance and $162,125 for a joint effort to assist homeless individuals and families.
“The cities of Taylor, Georgetown, Granger and Leander, four of the county’s more populated areas, are home to many (low- to middleincome) persons and households. Investments in these communities have meaningful impact,” according to a county communication. “Additionally, the county will invest in projects that will have a longterm and lasting impact on the community and residents. This method of allocation will enable the county to serve the most disadvantaged residents given the limited funding available.”
“ The Wilco CDBG grant is terrific news. In addition to helping the residents in this area, by addressing long-standing infrastructure problems, it will also enable new opportunities for additional housing – a key component of Taylor’s downtown master planning.”
-David Legere, Taylor developer
