North MorroW
Volume XXVII Number 4
November 2, 2018
TIMES
FREE MONTHLY PUBLICATION
BCDA makes things happen in Boardman The nonprofit seeks community input for new ideas for improving life locally.
Kathy Neal wrote the ideas for enhancing Boardman life and the public later rated the ideas. A small group of people hasbeen busy working behind the scenes to improve everyday life in Boardman. Boardman Community Development Association (BCDA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was formed in the 1980’s. The organization was pretty quiet until about eight years ago, concentrating on community clean up days and conducting studies to determine how to “grow Boardman”. Funding was uncertain, dependent on membership dues and an occasional small grant. A few years ago, funding became available through Columbia River Enterprise Zone, with large amounts of monies “in lieu” of property taxes from those companies located in special enterprise zones. BCDA reorganized with a mission to enhance Boardman in the areas of Recreation, Beautification, Education, Other School District Needs and Community Development. According to records furnished by BCDA, since 2014, two hundred home buyers have received one million dollars in grants of up to $5,000 per home! The numbers are outstanding: 75% of the BCDA’s housng incentive grant recipients are new residents to Morrow County, 25% are former Boardman renters
who are now Boardman home owners and 5% have moved from one home to another in Boardman. Some of the other major enhancement projects included $49,246 to the water tower painting project, $50,000 in each of three years to supplement the summer recreation program and recreation director at Boardman Park, $100,000 to City of Boardman to support their infrastructure needs, $10,710 for a Boardman Hotel Feasibility grant, an additional $73,531 towards the water tower sandblast/ painting project, $7,759 towards the Boardman Library remodel, $3,500 for Windy River Elementary School playground, a Business Incentive Grant Program with various donors, (towards new businesses in Boardman), installation of AED Machines in the Boardman Community for $5,000, track repairs at RHS, $15,000, an outdoor public address system at RHS for $7,500, a portable PA system for Boardman community events for $7,500, and a donation towards the crosswalksignage/lights on Main Street of $15,000. On tap to be supported this year are $25,000 towards lighting, signage, flowering baskets, flags and banners throughout Boardman, $250,000 towards identifying and
developing walking/bike paths throughout Boardman, (safe options are needed within our community from the river to our boundaries on the south side of the freeway. Lighting is also being considered.), continuing the Small Business Grant Funding to expand Boardman’s commercial/retain business sector. Grants of up to $25,000 (up to 50% of the cost) would be awarded on a case by case basis to support fulfillment of this goal. Other items are on BCDA’s “wish list” and will be accomplished as funding becomes available. A Community Enhancement meeting was held October 25th at Riverfront Center. BCDA asked the public in attendance to brainstorm for a new “wish list” for projects that fit within their areas of concentration, Recreation, Beautification, Education, Other School District Needs and Community Development. The 50-odd people who attended this meeting were enthusiastic in listing their ideas. Another Community Enhancement meeting will be held October 31st at Boardman Senior Center. When the new “wish list” is compiled, The North Morrow Times will share it with our public. Stay tuned!
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