Tuesday, May 24 2011 9:52AM

Many of the recent infrastructure and development changes made in the rural communities surrounding Colorado Springs have been completed with the assistance of block grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other government resources, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.

The source says residents can see their tax dollars at work in local projects that range from repaving the parking lot of a senior citizen community center to local affordable housing assistance projects. However, despite the marked influence the funds have had in the area, these groups providing community grants may lose significant funding because of budget cuts.

"When you take away funding that supports so many in the community, you're creating a gap, and there will be an even greater demand on the city that can’t be met," said Valorie Jordan, manager of the Housing Development Division for Colorado Springs. "We'll have even more stress on our limited resources."

The source says dropping the block grant program could result in more extensive loss for rural areas as much of the other public and private funding is often donated to match or add to that which has been received from the government.

Despite the potential loss concerning a number of local community development officials, the state still continues to excel with the funds it has received, and seven recent projects have been recognized for their impact.