The Department of Development is a combination of the Community and Economic Development Departments. The Department provides a range of programs and services designed to strengthen our community by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities. We work with other City Department, the County, and community-based non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for our citizens.
The Department staff value their interactions with residents, businesses, and institutions in order to promote the best ‘live, work, play’ environment for all people. Our goal is to make this community a place where residents and businesses alike can thrive through our program offerings – from home repair programs to investment incentives and development opportunities.
The City of Newark is an entitlement community; therefore the Department of Development receives CDBG funds every year. The CDBG grant dollars fund some of the Department staff in addition to many community and economic development programs.
The Department prepares a 5-Year Consolidated Plan that outlines the goals of how to spend the CDBG funding. Then each year, the Department prepares a 1-Year Action Plan for specific expenditures that must follow the goals of the 5-Year Plan. Some of these expenditures go toward activities that are carried out by the City (e.g. infrastructure projects, development incentives, and housing rehabilitation programs), while other funds go to entities that have applied for funding to support a specific program or initiative.
2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan-2nd public hearing, April 30, 2026, City Council Chamber 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
City Notes
Public Hearing Notice
The City of Newark Dept. of Development will conduct a public hearing Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:00 pm. at Newark City Hall, Council Chamber, 40 West Main Street, Newark, OH. The purpose of the second public hearing on the 2026 CDBG Annual Action is to provide citizens the opportunity to express views on the following:
Federal regulations at 24 CFR, Part 91 require that the City of Newark, OH to prepare and submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for its housing and community development programs utilizing HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The proposed 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan (AAP) will be discussed. The public hearing is the second of two public hearings per the City’s Citizen Participation Plan. The 2026 CDBG funding level is $769,882.
Anyone requiring special assistance is encouraged to call 740-670-7530 by Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Citizens are encouraged to review and comment. Comments should be directed to the Dept. of Development, 40 W. Main St, Suite 407, Newark, OH 43055 or the email below.
Barbara Gilkes
Grant Writer
740-670-7536
April is Fair Housing Month
http://www.newarkohio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026-CDBG-Annual-Action-Plan.pdf
Public Hearing Notice/Comment Federal regulations at 24 CFR, Part 91 require that the City of Newark, OH to prepare and submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for its housing and community development programs utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The City of Newark has prepared its proposed PY 2026 AAP; the AAP outlines how the City intends to expend its estimated $769,882. As noted in its Citizen Participation Plan, the City of Newark will hold at least two public hearings on the AAP. Our 2nd public hearing will be at 4:00 pm in City Council Chamber, 40 West Main Street, Lobby area, Newark, OH 43055 on April 30, 2026. In order to obtain the views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties, the City will place its proposed PY 2026 AAP on public display for 30 days beginning April 30, 2026 on the City website https://newarkohio.gov, the Newark, Department of Development, 40 W. Main Street, 4th floor, Newark, OH, and at the Newark location of the Licking County Library. A final PY 2026 AAP will be submitted to HUD for review. The PY 2026 AAP contains the following major components: 1. Identification of federal and non-federal funds reasonably expected to be made available during the PY 2026 program year to undertake activities identified in the approved Five-Year Consolidated Plan for PY 2025-2029. 2. A list of activities to be undertaken during the PY 2026 program year to address community development and housing needs in Newark. HUD Notice: CPD-24-01 explains the availability of waivers of the Community Planning and Development Grant Program Requirements to Facilitate the Ability to Incur Pre-Award Costs in PY 2026. HUD has waived 24 CFR 570.200(h). The waiver will allow a grantee (City of Newark- CDBG Entitlement) to treat the effective date of the grant agreement as the program year start date or the date that the consolidated plan/action plan (with actual allocation amounts) is received by HUD, whichever is earlier. The City of Newark, Department of Development will include pre-award costs in its CDBG Annual Action Plan for activity costs it may incur in a program year, prior to the effective date of the City’s CDBG grant agreement with HUD. In 2026, the activity will be the contracted Landlord/Tenant Services, which is part of the public services funding category Comments on the PY 2026 AAP can be directed to: Barbara Gilkes by calling 740- 670-7536, or by mail at 40 W. Main Street, Newark, OH 43055. All comments must be received by 4:30 pm on June 1, 2026.
Barbara Gilkes City of Newark Grant Writer bgilkes@newarkohio.net
From diverse housing options, to quality public space, there are a number of variables that go into development and maintaining quality neighborhoods. Providing a range of housing options in safe and comfortable neighborhoods is critical to the overall success of the community, from a workforce and economic development perspective, to socialization and community pride. In simple terms, neighborhoods are the back bone of a community and foundation for how a city operates now and for generations to come.
A neighborhood revitalization program is a targeted strategy that aligns and promotes both financial and human capital to improve the economic, social, and physical elements of a neighborhood. This can work to elevate the quality of Newark’s core neighborhoods. Key goals of a traditional neighborhood revitalization program are to:
Below is list of community programs that may be able to assist City of Newark residents in meeting these key goals:
Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio Home Repair Program is available to assist low to mid-income level homeowners with repairs. Please contact them at (614)484-1966 for more information and eligibility guidelines.
The Lead Hazard Control Program is available to both low to moderate income homeowners and rental property owners who rent to low-income families.
The Lead Hazard Control Program is a cooperative effort by the City of Newark, Department of Development, Licking County Healthy Department, Leads Community Action Agency, and the City of Newark, Division of Property Maintenance. The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development