$1.2M to fund Hempstead street, youth programs

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced Tuesday the allocation of a nearly $1.2-million Community Development Block Grant to Hempstead Village — the largest grant to any incorporated village so far this year, county officials said.

The federal grant will help fund various projects in the village, including improvements to streets and sidewalks in both the downtown business district and residential neighborhoods. The allocation also includes funds for the village’s Safe Routes to School program, a state Department of Transportation initiative that promotes traffic safety.

“These funds will greatly assist the Village of Hempstead in their efforts to improve the local business district, spur job creation and ensure safe routes to school for our children,” Mangano said in a statement.

The grant will also finance after-school programs, including Hempstead Police Athletic League recreational activities, at-risk youth basketball, peewee football and cheerleading, and the Economic Opportunity Commission’s soccer programs.

“Funding like this is extremely important to us, especially when we are preparing to embark on one of the most transformative and encompassing revitalization efforts on Long Island,” Village Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr. said in a statement. “The future is bright for the Village of Hempstead.”

Hempstead Town Hall is at 1 Washington St. in Hempstead Village. (Nov. 28, 2011)