Caltrans announces grants for local projects via Clean California program
Underserved communities to see benefits
FRESNO — Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement this week of $296 million in Clean California grants to underserved communities throughout the state, Caltrans will locally fund 15 PROJECTS in the district 6 region that includes Kern, Tulare, Madera and Kings counties to remove trash, create jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces. The grants are part of Governor Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.
“We want to congratulate the grantees awarded and thank all of those who submitted applications. We are grateful for the participation received as this enabled our District to be awarded 15 local grant projects for local communities. We look forward to seeing these projects completed.” — District Director Diana Gomez
The projects include a wide range of community enhancements for cities, counties, transit agencies and tribal governments to beautify public spaces, such as litter removal, landscaping and art installations, walking and bike paths, and other complete streets features that enhance safety and access to transportation. The grants will generate 3,600 jobs statewide, and recipients must complete their projects by June 30, 2024. The Governor’s California Blueprint proposes an additional $100 million to fund another round of Clean California local projects.
Projects located in District 6 — Central Valley include:
• City of Bakersfield — Garces Memorial Circle Enhancement Project
• City of Farmersville — 198 Gateway and Downtown Improvements
• City of Fresno — Downtown Fresno Neighborhood Beautification & Cleanup project
• City of Huron — Huron Clean CA Beautification Project
• City of Kerman — Downtown Corridor Revitalization Project
• City of Lindsay — Olive Bowl Renovation/Kaku Park Expansion
• City of Madera — Fresno River and Vernon McCullough River Trail
• City of McFarland — McFarland Community Garden and Trail
• City of Orange Cove — Renovation of Sheridan Park and Welcome Signs
• City of Porterville — Santa Fe Byway
• City of Shafter — Historic Core Recreation Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project
• City of Wasco — Historic Downtown Business District Transformation
• City of Woodlake — East Naranjo Beautification & Connectivity Improvements
• County of Kern — Heritage Park Beautification and Enhancements
• County of Kern — Lost Hills Park Beautification
The local projects announced this week are in addition to the $312 million for 126 beautification projects along the state highway system that were announced last month.
Since launching Clean California in July, Caltrans has removed nearly 7,400 tons of litter from the state highway system — enough to fill 134 Olympic-size swimming pools — and hired 623 new team members as part of Clean California, including 498 maintenance workers who collect litter and remove graffiti.
