City, Chinese Community Partner for Grant
Jul 23, 2024 09:27AM ● By Angela Underwood
MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Fourth-generation Chinese American Jon Lim has big plans for his culture here.
The Marysville Chinese Community president stood before City Council on July 2, recommending that city officials pass a motion to partner with his community-based organization (CBO) to apply for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Engage Empower and Implement Grant.
Since 1946, the group has continued to preserve, educate, and promote the heritage and culture of Marysville Chinatown, according to Lim, who gained support for the grant from the Marysville Chinese Cultural Preservation Inc. and the Marysville Business Alliance.
“I think we have a pretty good shot of at least being heard,” Lim told officials.
According to Lim, the city would lead the application. His group will work with Community Development director Dan Flores, Public Works director Vincenzo Corazza and two consultants.
“I believe the collaborative effort will continue throughout the process of getting the grant and if awarded afterward,” Lim said before laying out goals that span two decades.
Over the next 20 years, goals include identifying community stakeholders, determining stakeholders’ needs, defining Chinatown’s physical borders and gathering community input.
Lim said the plan also includes developing a land use model and design, and identifying public and private investment funding opportunities.
Councilmember Brad Hudson asked Lim where he is in the grant application process. Lim confirmed that the grant is being written to be submitted by July 24 and awards will be announced in January 2025.
After looking at the “different classifications that have the dollars next to them,” Mayor Chris Branscum said he questioned the overall target.
“We are going for the gusto, the full $500,000,” Lim said.
Without the city’s partnership, Lim said, grant funds would be unlimited to $80,000.
“This way, with partnering up with the city of Marysville, there is a 70/30 split with 30% going to Marysville to help us with the administrative and making sure we are on target and task so that we don’t implode," Lim said.
Branscum asked “what the use of funds” would be for $500,000, to which Lim did not answer. The mayor suggested to Lim that “it would be useful in your grant application to have a specific plan” to build a strong case.
Public Works director Corazza took the podium to explain that “the city gets a $150 to administer it because SACOG generally goes through the public agencies; they don’t give the money straight to the CBO.”
The mayor said he does not believe the city will need that much in administration costs, and more money can go to the community-based organization’s end goal.
City Manager Jim Schaad explained, “They like to see a 30/70 split minimum, meaning if we only needed to spend 20% at the city, then 80% can go to the CBO.”
Before passing the motion, the mayor reiterated his monetary support for the new partnership.
“I think it would be in the city’s best interest to maximize the amount of the money to the Chinese community,” Branscum said.