This week is last week of mandatory orientation classes

Neighborhood associations interested in obtaining up to a $2,500 Hillsborough County mini-grant to strengthen their communities must submit their applications by Friday, Aug. 13, 5 p.m. Applications may be obtained through the Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations (ONR) and online at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/onr .

These mini-grants will support community projects in neighborhoods located in unincorporated areas and cities (Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace) within Hillsborough County. In addition, grants are available to neighborhoods in unincorporated Hillsborough County for tree-planting, low-irrigation and clean-up. Previous grant-funded projects include shrub and flower planting, subdivision entrance signs, playground equipment, neighborhood festivals, crime watch programs, Web sites, newsletters, education activities and more.

Applications will be reviewed by the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Committee and approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Recipients will be notified by Nov. 30. Only one grant will be awarded per qualified neighborhood association.

Neighborhood associations interested in applying for a mini-grant must attend an orientation class. ONR staff will explain the application process, grant criteria, qualifying projects and answer questions neighborhood leaders may have. These classes were scheduled throughout Hillsborough County in June and July, but two more classes have been added for this week: