The city will move forward with a grant application that could provide training for developing a plan to further community development needs.
Monday is the deadline for submitting the Community Development Block Grant Commerce Fellows Building Community through Capacity and Knowledge program.
A public hearing held this evening, in which no one from the public attended, was one of the requirements.The primary purpose of the Commerce Fellows program is to provide $22,500 grants to local governments to train government employees in professional development courses and seminars.
In that amount, $17,500 is included for tuition and the remainder for travel and expenses, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky told council.
The program will provide offerings on grant-writing, administration, budget and finance, planning and economic development.
There will be special emphasis on CDBG grant writing and administration to further goals benefitting low- and moderate-income persons; preventing or eliminating blight and meeting other community development needs having a particular urgency.
At the end of the grant term, the city will produce a written document setting forth a plan to further community development needs for the city, plans which may include ways to develop a viable community by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic development opportunities, particularly for persons of low and moderate income.
It will also assist the city in developing a proposal for eligible housing activities for CDBG opportunities including single family and multi-family rehabilitation, acquisition, demolition, clearance, relocation, substantial rehabilitation, replacement housing and emergency repairs.