Notification of Public Meetings ~ Mobilize for Veterans

Jessica Polvikoski
1 day ago
2 min read

Notice of Public Meetings #1 through #6 (June 22nd to July 13th) to discuss and identify the "Priority Needs" for the next Clay County 5-Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the 2026 - 2031 Funding Cycle

The Clay County Veteran Population MUST attend and/or provide input to at least ONE of the scheduled Public Meetings #1 through Public Meeting #6 to ask for Clay County Leadership:

1) To evaluate and support projects that address Veteran needs and challenges, specifically, for the most vulnerable members of our veteran population; and

2) To include “Veterans Needs” as a "Priority Need" in the next 5-year CDBG plan (2026 - 2031).

Please distribute this e-mail and the attached flyer(s) to organizational members, friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.

Public Meetings #1 through #6 are added as events to our website ClayVeterans.com and our ClayVeterans Facebook account.

Background:

Clay County is developing its 2026-2031 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 5-Year Plan and could continue to receive $1M per year to allocate to its "Priority Needs".

If "Veterans Needs" are included, → funding becomes possible

If "Veterans Needs" are not included, → we wait another 5 years

Now is the time to tell your story and ask for what the veteran population needs. Your testimony could make all the difference.

Instructions:

Once you arrive at a Public Meeting, you can ask to speak or submit written correspondence at the meeting. Just make sure to sign in.

If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, you can e-mail your story to info@ClayVeterans.com or alternatively, you can submit your story online and we will deliver it to County Leadership:

https://www.clayveterans.com/cdbg-public-meeting-comment#cbdg-input-form

Why Participate?

1) Public participation helps County officials better understand the needs of residents and organizations throughout Clay County.

2) Community participation helps ensure that a broad range of perspectives are heard during the planning process.

3) Feedback received during these meetings may be considered as part of the County’s planning process.

4) THE MAJORITY OF PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE UNATTENDED BY THE PUBLIC!

Who Should Attend?

-Veterans & Retirees

-Surviving Spouses

-Veteran Caregivers

-Active Duty Service Members

-Reserve and National Guard

-Transitioning Service Members

-Military Families

-Community Supporters

-Local Business

-Friends of Veterans

Veterans Needs:

-Education about and access to community & VA benefits and services

-Assistance with digital access and technology

-Support for Caregivers and Surviving Spouses

-Mitigation of Social isolation / Suicide ideation

-Assistance with workforce transition and employment

-Mitigation of aging and disability-related concerns

Learn More:

For information regarding the Clay County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and public participation opportunities, visit: https://www.claycountygov.com/.../community-development...

Contact Information:

Clay Veterans & Veterans Council Clay County, at the Clay Veterans Center, 1297-1 CR 220, Middleburg, FL 32068 (904) 658-0105 (904) 375-1354

https://www.clayveterans.com/mobilize-for-veterans

Thank you for supporting this effort!

Jess Polvikoski

President, Clay Veterans, Inc.

John Ruark,

President, Veterans Council Clay County Florida, Inc

at the:

Clay Veterans Center

2497-1 CR 220

Middleburg, FL 32068