Three Towns Finalists For State Block Grants

The North Idaho communities of Sandpoint, Harrison and Troy are among 21 finalists in the annual competition for Idaho Community Development Block Grants.

More than $4.5 million in federal money will be distributed this year. Communities made 28 initial requests totaling $9.3 million. The finalists were chosen by the Idaho Economic Advisory Council.

Each finalist will now submit full applications to be reviewed again by the Idaho Department of Commerce staff and the council. Final recommendations will go to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, who will award the funds later this spring.

Nineteen of the final projects are sought for public facilities. The remaining two are for economic development grants.

Sandpoint is seeking $193,476 to reconstruct and widen U.S. 95 and Fifth Avenue, including water and sewer improvements. Harrison is seeking $500,000 to finish improvements begun last year to its water system. Troy wants $500,000 to construct water and sewer lines and rebuild nearly a mile of Main Street.

Nez Perce County’s request is for an economic development grant for $250,000 in roadway improvements needed for Precision Machine expansion to create 25 jobs.

Other grant requests are from Winchester, Kamiah, Idaho County/ Rapid River, Homedale, New Meadows, Glenns Ferry, Minidoka, Wendell, Oakley, Hazelton, Rupert, Basalt; and Adams, Lemhi and Jerome counties.