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March 5, 2010 For more information, contact: Steelville Conducting Income Survey STEELVILLE—Some 438 residents living within the Steelville Fire Protection District are receiving income surveys from the fire district in an effort to determine and document the area's eligibility to apply for a state Community Development Block Grant to build a new fire station. Residents are asked to complete the survey and return it by March 12. Community Development Block Grant funds are available on a competitive basis annually through the Missouri Department of Economic Development for projects such as this one, explained Connie Willman, MRPC's planning and development manager. The state receives the funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The fire district must demonstrate that at least 51 percent of its residents are of low-to-moderate income to qualify for state funding. Because Census data is not available for the area comprising the fire district, an income survey is necessary to determine if the area meets the grant criteria. “We are excited about the possibility of securing the funds to build a new fire station. This is an opportunity for members of our area to participate by completing the survey,” said Board President Allen Isgrig. “It is important to know that this grant will not increase fire district taxes,” Isgrig said. Meramec Regional Planning Commission is assisting the district with the income survey and grant application. If the area qualifies, the application will be prepared and submitted for funding. The fire district is seeking funding to build a new five-bay fire station. The present fire station is situated in a flood-plain and is at risk of flooding several times each year. The CDBG Program can provide up to $300,000 on community facilities projects. The estimated cost of constructing the structure is $550,000. At least 80 percent of those households receiving a survey must return them, in order for the survey to be valid. Of those returning surveys, at least 51 percent must be low-to-moderate income. “We hope to have as close to a 100-percent response rate as possible, “ said to Kelly Sink-Blair, a community-development specialist with MRPC who is assisting with the LMI survey and the grant application. “That helps demonstrate to the funding agency that the community is involved in the project and recognizes the need,” Sink-Blair added. The survey will take about five minutes for residents to complete, according to Sink-Blair. Residents will be asked their family size, their income range, race/ethnicity and the make up of the family—for example, whether it includes elderly or a female head of household. Survey information is confidential. Residents are encouraged to return the completed survey by March 12. Persons with specific questions may contact the fire district at 573-775-4738 or Kelly Sink-Blair at MRPC at (573) 265-2993. |