During their second session of the year on Thursday, local city council officials gave the green light to two Community Development Block Grant applications intended for projects within Keene. These grants, which are provided annually by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, focus on addressing various infrastructure necessities in communities.

The proposal to benefit The Community Kitchen gained notable support from Mark Bodin, President of the Savings Bank of Walpole, who expressed that the organization holds significant value for the local area. The Community Kitchen, located on Mechanic Street, provides essential meals and pantry services to vulnerable populations in Keene.

With a funding request amounting to $500,000, the facility, which is over a century old, plans to install a new generator, enhance its food transportation system, and upgrade HVAC components. An associate planner from the Southwest Region Planning Commission pointed out the necessity for continuous investment to uphold safe and efficient operations. This commission aids municipalities in securing such grants for essential services like those provided by the kitchen. Barb Weisman, who leads The Community Kitchen, highlighted the growing demand for their services and emphasized their commitment to meeting the community’s needs as they expand their role.

The council also endorsed a second funding request for Keene Housing, which aims to rehabilitate a property at 657 Marlboro St. This property, part of a larger acquisition from the Cheshire Housing Trust in 2021, has four units designated for long-term affordable housing; however, two of these units are currently uninhabitable. The rehabilitation plan includes necessary energy efficiency renovations, accessibility upgrades, and lead remediation. It was noted that if funding is secured, two residents would need to be temporarily relocated during the renovation process, as conveyed by a special advisor for planning and development at Keene Housing.