Community Development

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

Overview

As an Entitlement Community, the City of Dover receives, and then distributes, federal grant funds to community based projects, programs and organization.  Funds are distributed through an annual application process.  Allocations are based on priorities identified in the CDBG Consolidated Plan.  As such, the Consolidated Plan is a critical guiding document and is revised every five years.

Consolidated Plan: Update for FY2021-25

The City of Dover is developing a new Consolidated Plan. As part of this process, the City is seeking input from individuals, organizations, agencies and programs regarding what they believe are critical issues, needs and opportunities facing the community.

Listed below are opportunities for public input regarding the development of the City’s next Consolidated Plan.  Issues/needs could involve, but are not limited to social services, impediments to fair housing, housing needs, infrastructure and transportation needs, and economic development.

We encourage you to participate in Dover’s Consolidated Plan process.

Listening Sessions:

The City of Dover, NH will be holding a series of Listening Sessions to gather community input related to Dover’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  Individuals, organizations, agencies and programs are invited to attend to learn more about the CDBG Program and provide comments regarding what they believe are critical community issues, needs and opportunities.

Information gathered during these sessions will assist in the development of the Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.  These CDBG documents are used by local decision makers to prioritize annual CDBG funding allocations for community based projects, programs and organization.  Draft versions of both documents, incorporating feedback received during the Listening Sessions and other outreach efforts, will be made available for public review in late March.  Public Hearings will then be held by the Planning Board and City Council for the purpose of receiving public comment and possible adoption of both the Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

Questions about the Listening Sessions or the CDBG program can be directed to Dave Carpenter, Community Development Planner, at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov or at 603-516-6008. 

The Listening Sessions are scheduled as follows:

Survey

In addition to the Listening Sessions, the public may take an online survey. The anonymous survey will require approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Information received through this online survey will be used to help develop the CDBG Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan is used by local decision makers to prioritize annual CDBG funding allocations for community based projects, programs and organization for FY 2021–25.

The survey can be accessed here: Consolidated Plan Online Survey.

Important Community Development documents can be viewed below:

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Dave Carpenter, Community Development Planner
e:d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov

Phone: 603.516.6008
Fax: 603.516.6049

Mission Statement - Community Development Office

Create a viable urban environment through the improvement of housing and employment opportunities for low and moderate income people and through improving and/or expanding public facilities and services.

Major Service Responsibilities for the Community Development Office

- Review loan applications to the Housing & Economic Loan Programs.
- Preparation of all closing documents and payment administration of all approved loans.
- Prepare scope of work, solicit bids, prepare bid analysis/results, contracts and change orders and inspection reports of projects.
- Develop annual CDBG grant application to HUD.
- Solicit Community Development Grant proposals.
- Verify compliance with Federal laws (Davis-Bacon Wage Rates) for all CDBG-funded projects.
- Develop the annual Grantee Performance Report.
- Create Annual Consolidated Plan Performance Report for HUD.
- Monitor 30 to 50 outstanding loans, projects, and subrecipients.  

Dover Economic Loan Program
click here to download brochure

Entrepreneurial spirit in a community reflects the economic health of business and can provide job opportunities to residents. Good business ideas, however, need support from many sources in order to prosper. The Dover Economic Loan Program can provide partial financial assistance needed to ensure the viability of promising business ventures. If you are planning to expand a business, or even to start a new one, this program can help turn your plans into a reality.

Program Goals

• Increased employment opportunities for low and moderate income residents
• Expansion of Dover's business community.
• Improved appearance of commercial/industrial properties

Eligible Applicants

• Sole proprietorships.
• Partnerships
• Corporations
• Expansion of existing businesses
• Start-ups
• Relocations

Allowable Projects

• Acquisitions of land and buildings
• Construction and rehabilitation
• Modernization of processes
• Acquisition of equipment and machinery
• Leasehold improvements
• Job training
• Working capital

Loan Criteria

• Interest: Fixed at time of commitment usually not to exceed 75% of prime
• Loan Amount: Up to$50,000, not to exceed 25% of project costs. Exceptions for substantial benefit
• Term: Flexible, up to 25 years. Tailored to economic life of financed assets
• Collateral: Secured position usually secondary to first lien holder. Local lending considerations will determine form and substance of security requirements.
• Benefit: At least 51% of jobs created or retained must be filled by low or moderate income residents
• Financing Availability: Other financing must not be available for total project