The first of two public hearings on an application for a community development block grant (CDBG) that could provide $700,000 for revitalization projects in downtown Mathews was held Tuesday night. Only two people attended the meeting at the historic courthouse in Mathews.

A second public hearing is scheduled for this coming Tuesday during the 7 p.m. board of supervisors meeting.

The grant under consideration is an economic development grant for a Business District Revitalization Project aimed at job creation or retention and eliminating or preventing blight influences, said planning and zoning director John Shaw.

It would provide funds for façade improvements for buildings, sidewalk repair and extension, improvements to the Put-In Creek property, and revolving loans and marketing assistance for property owners within the project area.

Shaw explained that the CDBG program is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) with up to ...