At GrantWorks, we see a huge variety of projects come and go. For many projects, it’s easy to see the direct results, such as new housing key handoffs or grand openings of new facilities. Some of the most impactful results, however, may not be so apparent at the forefront. That’s why I’d like to recognize the hard work and dedication of those who oversee GrantWorks’ Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) infrastructure programs, including our Client Services team, our Labor and Environmental teams, and our exceptional Project Managers.
This month, the CDBG program celebrates its 50th anniversary of providing clean drinking water, sanitary sewer service, flood control, and a myriad of other critical infrastructure projects to the communities most in need. It can be challenging to visualize the benefits of these kinds of programs because there is no finalizing ceremony, such as with our housing programs (although, key handoffs are truly some of the most satisfying moments when you work in the housing department).
But infrastructure…what kind of impact is there with these programs? For every individual that plays their part – and we have many here at GrantWorks – I wanted to give some examples, so our team members understand how important they are to every single resident in our client communities.
In a “previous life,” I had the chance to not only meet with small-town mayors and county judges but also with the people who maintain the infrastructure and the citizens who reap the benefits.
Having grown up as a “city” kid, I would never have realized the intense impact a lack of clean water or proper infrastructure has on these smaller, rural communities. I heard of cases where children were rushed to the hospital because of the high number of nitrates in their drinking water, which could cause blue baby syndrome. Or instances where a lack of clean water meant families could only bathe their children once or twice a week, cleaning clothes was a challenge, and kids were sent home from school for being dirty. In other scenarios, people had to deal with flooded streets and ineffective drainage systems, meaning they had to walk over a mile in knee-deep mud to get to work or school.
These were just some of the stories I heard during my previous line of work, and it’s these types of problems that GrantWorks’ infrastructure teams are solving for our client communities everywhere! GrantWorks’ employees make a difference for these communities. Even though we don’t always directly see the impact ourselves or meet our beneficiaries, it’s felt every day by the people who live in those small communities.
This is a personal thank you to everyone who contributes to these causes. YOU make a difference. Thank you to GrantWorks’ President Bruce Spitzengel for helping us achieve these positive impacts every single day. I’m proud of GrantWorks’ dedication and passion to better the lives of residents across the country – The GrantWorks Way!