ADAMS, Mass. — The town is preparing to submit an application for Community Block Grant Funds following the designation of its blighted area on Route 8. 

 

CDBG is a federally funded competitive grant program administered by the state. It can be used for activities that address blight, housing, beautification, demolition and economic development.

 

According to a report by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission 26.5 percent of the existing primary buildings in the area are physically deteriorated and include high vacancy, suspected contamination, abandoned properties, and decline in property value. The overall percentage of properties contributing to slum and blight is 32.1 percent. 

 

The town will be applying for the maximum amount communities can receive, $950,000. The public hearing, required prior to submitting an application, will take place at the Select Board meeting on Wednesday. The deadline for fiscal year 2026 is April 21.

 

If approved, grant funds would be used to rehabilitate six housing units and complete a "big" construction project focused on Winter Street, said Donna Cesan, community development director. 

 

"We've been talking about Winter Street for a long time," she said. 

 

Currently, the Winter Street project is estimated to cost $760,000. The town will need to use Chapter 90 road funds because its expecting to get $550,000 to $600,000 from CDBG.