(KNSI) — On Monday night, the public will have its chance to convince the city council how to dish out an estimated $670,000 in federal funding.
The Community Development Block Grant funding is designated for organizations benefiting people with low or moderate incomes. Fifteen applications were received this year.
The planning commission made its recommendation last month and selected six groups with seven grants, with the largest single chunk going to Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit would use $215,000 to help build single-family homes in the Westwood Development. The next two largest grants could go to Place of Hope: $169,000 to replace the HVAC and plumbing system at their facility in the 500 block of 9th Avenue North and $70,000 to help with the costs of providing shelter in severe winter weather emergencies.
The commission advises giving St. Cloud Overcomers International Fellowship Dream Center $50,000 for new siding and Center City Housing’s Elm Ridge Apartments $45,000 to provide affordable housing. Under the plan, Tri-Cap would get $11,000 for its annual Project Connect event at the River’s Edge Convention Center, and $10,000 would be given to the St. Cloud Area Crisis Nursery, which provides short-term emergency childcare. The remaining $100,000 is kept by the city to cover administrative costs.
For those left off the list, Monday’s meeting is the last chance to pitch their project. The council has the final say and can make any changes.
The council will also set a date for a public hearing on the proposed changes to its dangerous animal ordinance and approve the purchase of playground equipment for Whitney Park. The meeting gets underway at 6:00 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall.
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