In February 2012, a survey was sent out to residents within the city limits of Grand Marais to assess housing needs in the community. Nancy Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions, which operates the housing program for the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), urges anyone who received a survey to take a few minutes to complete it and return it to the EDA. Survey results will determine if the EDA is eligible for a new cycle of housing rehabilitation grants. “We are asking for your help in accomplishing this requirement,” said Grabko.
For the fourth year in a row, the EDA is applying for a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Small City Development Program (SCDP) grant. The EDA will be requesting funds for rehabilitation of five homes and five businesses. To qualify for funding, however, 40 percent of the houses within a 20-block area must demonstrate a need for work on their houses and funding to do it.
Housing Administrator Nancy Grabko expects the EDA to request $335,000 in its SCDP grant application, but matches from other sources will be used as leverage to bring the total project amount to an expected $480,000.
“Over the past four years, 31 homes within Cook County have been rehabilitated through this program and we are working hard towards securing funding for future projects,” said Grabko.
The new funding criteria may make it difficult for small rural communities to quality for the grant since they must demonstrate significant need within a 20-block area. If not enough people respond to the survey and demonstrate a need for financial help, the grant application cannot be submitted. At press time the EDA had seen only a 17% return and so extended the return date until March 21.
“DEED requires we conduct a community-wide survey to gather information which will help determine the ‘level of need’ and the ‘impact’ this program will have on our community,” she said.
“You can help us by filling out the survey, which you have received in the mail, and return it back as soon as possible. You can also drop it off at the front desk at City Hall,” said Grabko.
She added that all information is strictly confidential and will only be used to help the EDA in its upcoming grant application.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Grabko at: dngrabko@means.net or call 218-398-7626.
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