Luverne's request for property repair funds is denied

LUVERNE — A preliminary request made by the city of Luverne for more than $1 million in property rehabilitation funding was not accepted by the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

In November, the city prepared a preliminary request to DEED for $1,044,800 in Small Cities Development Program funding. This funding could be used by the city to provide low interest loans for building repairs to homeowners, rental property owners and commercial property owners.

DEED said the application was not competitive in this year’s funding round.

In recent years the Small Cities program has changed its approach and priorities. DEED now places higher priority on projects that serve very small geographic areas with very high needs.

The city of Luverne intends to evaluate its options for the program, make adjustments and re-apply this fall. At that time, informational meetings will be conducted with details on the program, proposed target area and loan terms.

Property owners who submitted pre-applications in 2012 will not need to resubmit their pre-application for the city’s 2013 request.

Pre-applications were collected by Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, which also prepared the city’s proposal to DEED.

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