The Frederick J. Felton Neighborhood Matching Grant program is helping Gaithersburg neighborhood associations make improvements in their communities by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grants.
Equity Emphasis Areas: Enhancements were made to this program to better address the needs of communities located in Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs) as defined by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Transportation Planning Board. These areas were designated based on income levels and minority population sizes gathered from tract-level Census data. In addition to what is covered under the standard program, communities within an EEA will also be able to apply for funding for eligible maintenance and repair projects as described below. While neither program covers regular ongoing maintenance nor repairs, the Equity Enhancement subprogram would cover a one-time maintenance/repair project with the goal of getting the project to the point that the association could continue regular maintenance/repairs moving forward. Additionally, communities within an EEA are eligible to receive a greater match (up to 75% for eligible projects) under both programs. The Equity Enhancement subprogram can be applied for using the Standard Application.
To facilitate the contract process, contracts under both programs can be signed in advance as long as the contract states that no work shall begin prior to the start of the performance period for that grant year (July 1). Any project begun or completed before the performance period will not be eligible for reimbursement under either grant.
Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg