OJAI : Local Agencies Likely to Get Grant Money
Ojai-area-based agencies should receive the bulk of $95,268 in federal funds promised to the city after the Jan. 17 earthquake, the City Council said.
More than a dozen nonprofit groups and agencies have applied to share Ojai’s Community Development Block Grant money, but only a few of the requests will be funded, City Council members said.
“There’s just not enough money to go all the way around,” Mayor Steve Olsen said after a public hearing at a City Council meeting late Tuesday.
Councilwoman Nina V. Shelley said the city should award the funds to nonprofit agencies that serve Ojai-area residents.
“We’re going to have to make some really hard decisions,” she said.
Much of the money already is earmarked for various projects, including up to $28,000 to administer the grant.
Groups applying for the funds include countywide service organizations such as the Salvation Army, Ventura County Mental Health Services and the Assn. for Retarded Citizens. But local agencies more likely to be funded include Interface, The CREW and Help of Ojai.
After the public hearing Tuesday night, the city staff was directed to draw up recommendations for a final decision next month.
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