City officials recently received word that they will be receiving two new grants. Mayor Bob Stefanik is well known for going after as many grants that will help assist city coffers as possible.
The city will receive a grant from the Elks for city Wi-Fi, as well as a grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), for a sidewalk project.
On June 5, Mayor Bob Stefanik received notification from the Elks that the city received a Gratitude Grant in the amount of $2,000. North Royalton resident, Craig Fugitt, “Exalted Ruler” (President) of the Elks Parma Lodge #1938, was responsible for making the ENF funds possible.
The grant will be used to install cable and DIS Computers for Wi-Fi accessibility at the Heasley soccer fields on Wallings Road. This installation will complete the city’s Wi-Fi offerings, including Memorial Park, the City Green and the York Road field area.
This isn’t the first time the city has been awarded with a grant from the Elks. In 2014, the city received an award of $750, that covered half the cost of software, equipment and installation of a system that allowed the NRPD interoperability with the North Royalton School District. The system syncs the radios that each building administrator already has to the radios of the North Royalton Police Department officials, as well as in each squad car.
“The Parma Elks have a history of giving back to the community,” said Stefanik. “We appreciate their generosity and support to our safety forces.” The Parma Elks is known for their contributions to public safety programs and schools.
According to the Elks National Foundation website, “Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, by undertaking projects that address unmet need, and by honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans.” Their mission is to help strengthen communities, “by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with lifelong skills; honor the Elks pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.”
According to Elks officials, “since inception, the Elk’s National Foundation (ENF) has contributed $455.4 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide. This year, the ENF allocated $12.5 million to fund the Community Investments Program, investing in Elks communities through grants for Elks Lodges.
On Friday, June 9, Stefanik received word that the city will be receiving a grant from NOACA for $108,000, after the Board of Directors approved the project. NOACA is a planning organization that serves cities and townships in Cuyahoga, Lake, Medina, Geauga and Lorain Counties.
The grant will be used to install a sidewalk and possible ditch piping from City Hall, on State Road, north, to Rt. 82. This is the second time the city has applied for this grant. Last year the city applied, but was not chosen for this grant. The grant is being administered through NOACA’s Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative, which is funded through federal gas taxes, according to Jocelynn Clemings, NOACA’s Manager of Communications and Public Engagement.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer