City asks funds for needed repairs to homes, businesses

The city of St. Joseph will be submitting a preliminary proposal to the Department of Employment and Economic Development requesting funding for needed repairs to homes and commercial businesses. The Central Minnesota Housing Partnership has been asked by the city to put together and submit a proposal for the Small Cities Development Program by the Nov. 15 deadline.
Funding is being requested to assist homeowners in two target areas in St. Joseph: 1) from Minnesota Street north to Birch Street between 5th Avenue NW and 3rd Avenue NE and 2) from Minnesota Street south to Baker Street between College Avenue and 8th Avenue SE. If the city of St. Joseph receives the rehab award, the Small Cities Development Program can provide 0-percent deferred forgivable loans to assist homeowners in completing needed repairs to include: new roofing, siding, windows and doors, as well as mechanical and electrical updates.
Commercial funding is being requested for two target areas 1) along Cedar Street SE between 1st Avenue NE and 4th Avenue NE and 2) along Minnesota Street between 2nd Avenue NW and College Avenue; and College Avenue from Minnesota Street north one block. The Program provides commercial dollars as 0-percent deferred, forgivable loans and low-interest loans to address a building’s exterior needs. These may include new roofing, exterior siding or brickwork, windows, doors, awnings and signs. Some interior items may also be approved.
As part of the preliminary proposal, the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership must show residents are interested in the program. “It’s really the important aspect of the preliminary proposal showing residents are going to utilize the funding” says Jason Krebsbach, Central Minnesota Housing Partnership’s Community Development director. “City officials and I can say there is a need for this program, but unless residents show an interest, a proposal will not be funded.”
All homeowners and commercial business owners interested in the program are encouraged to contact Laurie Ziebell, CMHP program manager. By contacting Ziebell by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, you will help strengthen the proposal for funding and you will be placed on a preferred applicant list. Ziebell can be reached at (320) 259-0393.