By Sara Strong
Many Luverne residents can expect a knock at their door and a request to complete a survey starting next week.
Select parts of Luverne have the chance to use up to $1.4 million to improve the structure and appearance of homes and businesses.
That opportunity came because of a Community Development Block Grant through a federal program for small cities. Luverne can get a grant and be able to turn it around to deferred loans, which can be forgiven over time.
The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is writing the grant application that could remodel and update homes and businesses with owners paying just 34 percent of the cost up front.
Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Dan Statema said, "Educating the public is really key for the program. Survey response is essential."
Survey says…
Before any grant money can be used, city residents and property owners have to do their part by completing the surveys.
Within a month, a select group of city residents will be asked to answer a survey, and if there's a 70 percent response rate, the Housing Partnership will complete the application process.
The survey is the important first step in ensuring the process continues to the grant-writing level.
The questionnaire should be completed regardless of whether the property owner wants or qualifies for the program. Even if those receiving surveys don’t want to apply for the program, it’s important to complete them.
The target areas for the program spread outward from the Main Street and Kniss Avenue numerous blocks in all directions. North, the area continues to Barck Street; south the area continues to nearly the interstate; west the area continues to the city limits; and east to Blue Mound Avenue.
The target area is broad now, but will probably become more specific after the surveys are completed.
Survey information stays only with the Housing Partnership, so no city official or survey collector will view answers.
If approved, the grant and loan money can be used for the following improvements: exterior renovations, structural repairs, mechanical repairs and replacements, electrical system repairs, windows and doors, accessibility modifications, signage and awnings and energy improvements.
For the individual contribution to the program, people can pay for new carpeting or other improvements that don't fall under what’s eligible for grant or loan money.
Individuals must meet income guidelines during the application process. For example, an individual must earn less than $27,550 to qualify; a household of two must earn less than $31,500; a household of three must earn less than $35,400 to qualify; a household of four must earn less than $39,350; a household of five must earn less than $42,500; a household of six must earn less than $45,650 and so on.
In other business,
the LEDA:
Was updated on the status of the former Exsito building. The city is in the process of selling the food processing equipment so the building can be used for other purposes.
Leftover glass jars are also for sale. City Administrator Matt Hylen said, "If anyone is looking into doing some fall canning, we have plenty of jars and lids available."
A case of 12- or 16-ounce jars costs $2, and a case of jars with lids costs $4. The lids are the one-piece metal lids typically found on commercial jars.
Learned that the Department of Trade and Economic Development has looked at the former Continental Western Group, Tri-State Insurance building. DTED can pitch the building to businesses interested in relocating or expanding in the city.