NORWICH – The community doesn’t realize the full scope of the economic contribution of one not-for-profit organization in Chenango County, according to City of Norwich Supervisor Linda E. Natoli, and it’s about time they found out.

Natoli’s Planning & Economic Development Committee learned on Nov. 12 that Opportunities for Chenango, Inc.’s homeownership and preservation programs had made a nearly $30 million investment in the county over the past 10 years, and would likely double that amount in five.

OFC Executive Director Craig Cashman reported that participation in both programs - which are available for low to moderate income families - had grown significantly since 2001. Reaching the $60 million mark by 2013 would be “very doable,” he said.

Cashman joined OFC Housing Director Wayne Viera and Executive Assistant Karen Glasbergen to deliver a power point presentation before Chairman Natoli’s committee. They also requested approval to apply for another round of state grants for 2009.

“We need to support this program. This is a county that can use all the economic dollars it can get. It’s sad to say, but this is what our county is all about,” Natoli said.

Lacking a quorum, however, the committee was unable to approve the $750,000 in applications requested. Natoli apologized for her committee’s poor showing of support for economic development.

“I don’t know where the lack of enthusiasm is,” she said. (Natoli’s committee also lacked a quorum in October.)

Since its inception in the mid to late 1990s, the partnership between Chenango County and OFC has successfully secured $2.1 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The grants afforded assistance to 76 first time homebuyers and for 75 water and septic systems.

Moreover, CDBG funds were used to leverage alternative funding sources nearly 3 to 1, turning $2.1 million into $8.4 million, Viera said.

OFC’s reports show: 157 families achieved homeownership; 496 houses were rehabilitated; 800 were weatherized; 11,000 received Heating Energy Assistance Program funds through OFC; and 1,600 families received Earned Income Tax Credit assistance.