The Ponca City Board of Commissioners approved a contract for $114,471 for the 2016 Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program between the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the City of Ponca City.

Grant Administrator Rhonda Skrapke told commissioners the grant program helps fund four programs in Ponca City: Homebuyers' assistance; demolition, interim assistance/special services and the Attucks splash pad.

In July, commissioners approved the CDBG application and the contract from the Department of Commerce was received last week. Skrapke said it may be 90 days before the grant money can be spent because of the process of fulfilling contract obligations. 

The Homebuyer Assistance program helps low to moderate income individuals and families purchase their own homes. The budget includes $20,000 from the CDBG grant and a matching $20,000 from the Ponca City Development Authority.

Interim Assistance/Special Services helps low  to moderate income-qualified residents in eliminating conditions which threaten their health or safety, such as sewer and water line replacements, heating repairs, electric repairs and the like. The budget includes $20,000 from the CDBG grant and a matching $20,000 from the City of Ponca City.

Demolition services eliminate dilapidated structures in Ponca City which pose a threat to the health and safety of neighboring residents. The budget includes $20,000 from the CDBG grant and a matching $20,000 from the City of Ponca City.

The Attucks Splash Pad will meet the recreational needs of the Attucks neighborhood. The budget includes $54,417 from the CDBG grant and $80,000 from the city Hotel/Motel Tax earmarked for recreation.