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Hildebrandt, Konrad
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TAB 6
Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT)
April 5, 1991
OREM INTRODUCING ITS RESIDENTS TO BENEFITS OF FEDERAL BLOCK
GRANTS
Author: Kenneth S. Rogerson, Staff Writer
During National Community Development Week this week, Orem is trying to acquaint residents
with federal funding opportunities that are available through Community Development Block
Grants.
Konrad Hildebrandt, Orem's Community Development Block Grant administrator, said the city
has been utilizing the funding source since 1975. ``Every city with a population more than
50,000 is eligible to receive federal grant money,'' Hildebrandt said.
The objective of the grants is to develop urban communities by providing decent housing and a
suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities. Much of the national
emphasis is for improved housing, and Orem participates in that through its Housing
Rehabilitation Program, Hildebrandt said. This year the block grants will contribute $80,000
toward this program. ``Over the years, we have been able to help more than 60 families with
housing rehabilitation,'' he said.
Hildebrandt said the city can take pride that the block grant funds have been used for many
different projects and public service entities.
``We have really tried make our parks and buildings `handicapable,' '' he said. The city has also
used the funds to provide for programs and projects that benefit all age groups, from early
childhood intervention programs to a senior citizens center.
He said Orem and Salt Lake City are the only Utah cities participating in National Community
Development Week, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Orem is participating in part to recognize the people that have worked on the projects,
but Hildebrandt said there are other reasons. ``We want to show that people are being
benefited,'' he said. Also, the city would like to encourage other groups, especially minority
groups, to apply for funding.
Those wishing to apply must fill out a simple registration form, Hildebrandt said. Then, during
the fall, groups will make presentations to a committee that will then decide who receives
funding.
The 1991-92 grant allotment of $670,000 provided funding for 13 projects. Only three of those
that applied were not given any money.
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