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Harmony EDA hires CEDA to pursue Small Cities Block Grant, approves application fees
Summary
The Harmony EDA voted to hire CEDA to prepare a preliminary Small Cities Block Grant application for $1,000 and to complete the $1,000 full application if the preliminary application is accepted. The program would offer forgivable loans for home, rental and commercial property renovations; the board will promote a community needs survey if they proceed.
The Harmony Economic Development Authority voted Aug. 8 to hire the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) to prepare a preliminary Small Cities Block Grant application and — if that preliminary application is accepted — to complete the full application and administer the program if awarded.
EDA staff member Chris Giesen introduced the grant opportunity and said it could fund property renovations across owner-occupied homes, rental units and commercial properties. Allison Wagner of CEDA joined the meeting by phone and described how the program works: income‑qualified homeowners could receive 100% forgivable loans for repairs such as roofs, windows and heating; rental-property owners could qualify for 70% forgivable assistance if at least 51% of tenants are income‑qualified; and commercial owners could receive 80% forgivable funding for primarily exterior work with no owner income limit.
Wagner told the board that applications are competitive and awarded in an annual round; she recommended the city apply on behalf of all properties in Harmony to strengthen the application and advised starting a community survey to document need and interest. She also said the next available application slot would be fall 2021 for projects in summer 2022, and that applications take several months for state review.
The EDA approved paying CEDA $1,000 for the preliminary application and authorized an additional $1,000 if the preliminary application is successful to complete the full application and administer the grant if awarded. The motion, made by Chris Skaalen and seconded by Steve Donney, carried unanimously.
The board did not authorize program implementation pending application success; Wagner noted that if the grant is pursued staff and elected officials should help publicize the community survey to maximize participation.
The board recorded no additional budget or management costs to run the grant if awarded beyond CEDA’s application and administration proposal.
