Berding's Revived Safe and Clean Fund

Jeff Berding had a press conference Monday at Hoffner Park in Northside to announce that it's time for neighborhood groups to start applying for grants from the Safe and Clean Fund that council brought back this year.



The fund began as an idea of Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper, when he was a councilman. Communities have used the money to do things like buy lights for problem street corners. The money is supposed to go for projects that improve safety and quality of life.



The fund was bigger, then. The new version pushed for by Berding started with $50,000. He hopes it grows in the future. Grants will be a max of $10,000.



In his release, Berding said: "One of the biggest assets Cincinnati has is citizens who are passionate about preserving and improving their neighborhoods. The City strongly supports these voluntary efforts, and this fund provides monetary resources to help the grassroot efforts in our neighborhoods to clean up blight and create a safer environment for residents. Everyone wins."




The application deadline for the fourth quarter of 2007 is Nov. 9. Grant applications are available on the City website at www.Cincinnati-oh.gov <http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/>, or can be requested from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful at 352-4388 or Robin.Henderson@cincinnati-oh.gov <mailto:Robin.Henderson@cincinnati-oh.gov>.