DeKALB – NIU will contribute $2.5 million to the city for the usage of the Huskie Bus Line for 2024.
The five-year intergovernmental agreement for the university to use the buses for an integrated transit system operated by the city recently ended in 2023. NIU has agreed to extend the contract five more years to 2029 with a 35% minimum payment for the total costs of transit expenses.
NIU is expected to pay $2,415,155 for 2024, based on the anticipated costs of previous years.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AWARDS NON-PROFIT AGENCIES AND ECONOMIC PROJECTS
Over $700,000 in city grants are expected to go toward community housing and local non-profits in DeKalb.
The city approved allocations for the first year of the Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, which provides funds for public service and economic development projects throughout DeKalb.
The city expects to receive around $375,561 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development which will total around $486,000 including carried funds from 2023.
Notable proposals in the development plan include $125,000 allocated toward the advancement of microenterprises in DeKalb with the launching of “Project Launchpad.” The program was introduced by Opportunity DeKalb in a prior City Council meeting and would provide a free virtual 12-week online course about business fundamentals to DeKalb residents.
Fifteen percent of the grant money will be designated for aiding public services, coming to a total of $56,334. Agencies including Safe Passage, Hope Haven and the Children’s Learning Center will receive funds toward staff employment, bus fees for low-income students and frozen meals for residents.
In addition to the CBDG grant, the city awarded individual human services grants to 24 local non-profits based on a list of criteria on how the organizations served and met the needs of their intended groups.
Of the around $300,000 requested from the groups, the city was able to award $225,000 among the non-profits.
“The total available game was $225,000,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas. “Based on what you’ve allocated in the budget, we had 300 for almost $305,000 in requests and the individual allocation is very tough thing to do.”
Eric Armstrong, vice president of the DeKalb Area Alano Club, spoke in support of necessary funds his group would use to update the locks at their meeting space.
“We have a very safe, secure place, but our locks that are in place are very antiquated, and they could do some adjustment,” Armstrong said. “And so for us, we came up with a respectful bid from a local contractor, who kept the business local, and we were just asking for a specific amount to help put in a key fob system and a tracking system for our club so that we know who’s coming in and going out.”
Among the many non-profits, those chosen to receive funding included the Barb Food Mart, the DeKalb County Community Gardens, the Kishwaukee YMCA’s Camp Power and school programs, and the Voluntary Action Center with the full list available on the agenda.
The listed agencies would receive funding to provide food, care and funds toward after-school programs or recreational activities for senior, young or impoverished community members.
