POUGHKEEPSIE – Grants totaling almost $1.1 million have been assigned to fund nine projects in Dutchess County in 2010.  The money comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program.

Five of the projects are for infrastructure; four are for handicap accessibility.

In the infrastructure category, the Town of Dover will receive $125,000 for repair and safety improvements on Cart Road; the town of Pleasant Valley will receive $150,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk replacement on North Avenue; the Village of Millerton will receive $125,000 for sidewalk repair; the Village of Tivoli will received $150,000 for improvements to Montgomery and Spring Street; and the City of Beacon will receive $192,000 for improvements to Tioronda Bridge infrastructure.

Handicapped accessible projects include $100,000 for the installation of a fitness trail and handicapped accessible playground at Lakeside Park in the Town of Pawling; $100,000 for the Town of Washington to complete an alternative handicapped access to Route 44 and handicapped parking at the new playing fields at the town park; $50,000 for the Village of Pawling to complete sidewalk improvements; and $100,000 to the Town of Wappinger to construct a Little League baseball field for handicapped youths.

The grants provide funding for projects that the municipalities may not otherwise afford, said County Executive William Steinhaus.