FRESNO (KMJ) – New eco-friendly developments in the Downtown, Chinatown, and Southwest parts of Fresno have been promised as part of a grant agreement signed between the City of Fresno and the Strategic Growth Council.
The announcement on Tuesday would bring in $66.5m as part of the Transformative Climate Communities Collaborative program, designed to develop and implement projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Fresno.
“Invested by the State into our community that will lead to triple the investment in economic development,” explained Mayor Lee Brand. “[It] will mean more jobs and better services for everyone in the long-run. It not only transforms communities – this will transform lives.”
Approximately $111m of leveraged funds, funded by groups from all over Fresno, are included in the agreement in order to satisfy the grant program’s match requirement. However, the deal needs to receive the approval of Fresno City Council before construction can get underway. Mayor Brand is confident that will get the go ahead.
“This addresses a long, long term neglect. Beyond the financial contributions and transformation is almost a moral obligation to the City of Fresno. I believe our council colleagues will support the investment in an area of town that’s long overdue.”
Fresno City Council is scheduled to vote on the Master Grant Agreement on Thursday.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
