SIMI VALLEY : City Gets $600,000 in Earthquake Aid

Ongoing earthquake-recovery efforts in Ventura County got a $2.1-million boost Tuesday from a federal program designed to help rebuild damaged communities.

The county received about $1.5 million and Simi Valley received $600,000 in the second round of Community Development Block Grants dedicated specifically for the earthquake.

In the first round of grants a year ago, Simi Valley received $5.5 million, and the county was awarded $2.8 million for repairs in Fillmore and Piru.

In all, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $175 million to 11 cities and two counties. Federal officials kept about $48 million of that in reserve until this spring and is now allotting the remainder.

The funding is intended to help social service and other nonprofit organizations with earthquake-related projects that benefit poor residents, eliminate blight or help meet urgent community development needs.

In Simi Valley, for instance, the first round of funding helped establish earthquake mental-health counseling programs, provided aid to senior citizens and helped repair the Simi Valley Boys & Girls Club.

Agencies in Simi Valley have until May 10 to apply for the funding. For more information, call Paul Thornquist at 583-6728.