By Barbara Moore, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
Since 1999, Neighborhood Services has helped strengthen and support College Station’s homeowner and neighborhood associations through a variety of programs and services, including gateway and neighborhood grants.
Neighborhood and homeowner associations registered through the city’s Neighborhood Partnership Program have long been able to apply for grant funding for entrance signs and other beautification projects. More recently, smaller, less expensive projects have become eligible, leading to the Strong and Sustainable Grant Program.
PODCAST: Barbara Moore discusses Strong & Sustainable Grant Program
These programs have brought a sense of identity, community and beautification to many of our neighborhoods. We’re proud to have played a role in a wide array of projects that have brought neighbors together and are still serving their purposes years later. The grant programs are even more vital today as our neighborhoods continue to grow.
Amazing Growth
When I became the city’s neighborhood services coordinator in 2007, 37 registered homeowner and neighborhood associations were functioning in College Station. Today, we have more than 90 registered associations that participate in Neighborhood Services activities.
That’s amazing growth in such a short period of time!
We’ve always had neighborhoods looking to fund worthwhile projects, even during leans years when grant funds were reduced because of tight budgets. These days, we’re focusing more on smaller, community-building projects and events.
This year, the College Station City Council increased grant funding and we hope to serve more neighborhoods and continue building a stronger sense of community throughout our city. Some of the projects we’ve funded through the years are entrance identification signage, community gardens, landscape beautification projects, National Night Out celebrations, neighborhood libraries and park benches.
Pre-Grant Application Meeting set for Thursday
Our ongoing partnership with neighborhoods helps build, strengthen and beautify our city. If you’re interested in applying for a grant for your neighborhood or learning more about the programs, we’re having a pre-grant application meeting Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
We’ll explain in detail program operations and guidelines and answer questions about eligible projects and the grant award processes. Grant applications and supporting documents will also be distributed. Associations must be registered with the city’s Neighborhood Partnership Program for at least one year before becoming eligible for these grants.
For additional information, please contact me at bmoore@cstx.gov or 979-764-6262.
About Barbara: Barbara Moore is in her eighth year as the city’s neighborhood services coordinator. She previously served as executive director of Family Outreach of Bryan/College Station and was director of faith-based relations for the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. Barbara is a 1992 graduate of Jackson State and earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington in 1996.
