Neighborhood Beautification Grants Available

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

eb/kmcbgrants.pr 00-27

Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Sandra Kaiser, 240-777-7150

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2000

NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS AVAILABLE

Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) is offering grants to any nonprofit community association to fund beautification projects. KMCB will pay 50 percent of the total cost of a beautification project, up to $250.

For 11 years, KMCB has been providing funds through the Beautification Grant Program to help improve the appearance of communities throughout Montgomery County. Neighborhoods have used the grants to plant flowers, shrubs, or trees; landscape a community entranceway or traffic circle; convert weed fields to grass areas; screen highways; or beautify schools.

Grants must be used for new projects that improve community aesthetics. Construction projects, general maintenance and projects that have already been completed do not qualify.

Volunteer hours qualify as part of a community's contribution. Volunteer hours spent on the project are valued at $4.25 per hour.

KMCB reviews grant applications each month. Over the past five years, KMCB has helped 35 communities to fund projects.

KMCB is a County-funded group of concerned citizen volunteers who help educate citizens and change public attitudes about littering; support cleanup and beautification projects; encourage citizens to start or improve recycling programs; and raise awareness of the problems caused by graffiti. The County's Department of Public Works and Transportation has funded KMCB since the mid-1980's.

To apply for a beautification grant, contact Sandra Kaiser, Community Outreach Manager, at 240-777-7155.

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