Rockville Centre gets $200K in federal grant money

Last week, County Executive Edward Mangano announced that the Village of Rockville Centre would be the recipient of more than $200,000 of Federal Community Development Block Grants that would be used for community improvements.

The village will be receiving $217,250 in CDBG money, which will go toward downtown beautification and programs run by the village and other local groups, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, the Hispanic Brotherhood and Confide Counseling Center.

“Funds will also be used for beautification projects, including landscaping, lighting, benches and concrete work at North Forest Avenue Water Tower Park and Hickey Field Parks,” Mangano said in a release. “From the Rosa Lee Young Childhood Center, to the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre and the MLK, Jr. Community Center After School Program, these funds help ensure our residents have quality programs throughout the community.”

The largest portion of the money is $93,525, which will be used for improvements to the downtown. Specifically, it’s slated to replace and repair the sidewalks, trees and lighting on South Park Avenue between Merrick Road and Lincoln Avenue. Additionally, $20,000 is set for improvements to the North Forest Avenue Water Tower Park.

Tens of thousands of dollars are also going to be

allocated to youth employment training programs, rehabilitation of Housing Authority buildings, improvements to Hickey Field, and grants for the Rosa Lee Young childhood Center, the Hispanic Brotherhood, Confide and the MLK Center’s after school program.

“The village has made a concerted effort to pursue grants to improve our village while holding down taxes,” said Mayor Francis X. Murray. “This latest grant will help to continue the work we have done to enhance our downtown business area, which is so important to the health and vitality of our community. This grant will also enrich some of our terrific parks as well as provide assistance to groups that deliver valuable services to our residents, like after school programs and employment training.”