This notice is to announce the beginning of a thirty-day (30) public comment and review period of a draft Dakota County Community Development Agency’s section of the Dakota County Consortium’s 2011 Annual Action Plan. The purpose of the public comment period is to receive comments from the general public concerning the proposed housing and community development needs and objectives of Dakota County and the projected use of FY 2011 Community Development Block Grant, HOME Program, and Program Income derived from CDBG and HOME. The proposed funding levels are based on a 7.5% reduction of the 2010 funding levels and are subject to change based on approved 2011 funding levels.

Summary of the proposed uses for the 2011 CDBG Program and Program Income:

• Dakota County: $193,186 for countywide home improvement loans; $4,625 for well sealing grants; $23,125 for transit planning and $205,350 for general administration.
• Program Income: Approximately $300,000 in revolving loan funds for homeowner improvement loans.
• Small Cities & Townships - $18,500 for Mendota public improvement; $11,008 for Empire Township zoning ordinance; $13,852 for Empire Township parks and trails master plan; $4,625 for Randolph water use ordinance.
• Inver Grove Heights - $57,720 for acquisition and clearance of blighted property in floodplain; $57,720 for home improvement loans.
• Mendota Heights - $23,125 for home improvement loans, $3,978 for sewer line improvement.
• South St Paul - $40,793 for home improvement loans; $40,793 for acquisition of blighted property.
• West St Paul - $83,435 for home improvement loans.
• Apple Valley - $5,088 for senior public services; $122,470 for home improvement loans.
• Burnsville - $126,170 for home improvement loans and remodel grants; $97,126 for senior and youth public services; $16,650 for general administration.
• Eagan - $64,750 for home improvement loans; $100,085 for Cedar Grove commercial rehab; $32,375 for senior and youth public services.
• Farmington - $17,649 for senior public services; $26,474 for microenterprise economic development.
• Hastings - $70,578 for assessment abatement.
• Lakeville - $102,416 for home improvement loans; $25,604 for market study.
• Rosemount - $53,558 for public facility new construction.
• Northfield - $39,313 for homebuyer assistance loans; $23,588 for clearance and demolition; $8,418 for home improvement loans.

 Summary of the proposed uses for the 2011 HOME and Estimated Program Income:

• New Construction: $570,000 for the development of affordable housing in two locations in Eagan.
• Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO): $114,000 available for eligible Dakota County Community Housing Development Organizations.
• Administration: $76,000 for the administration of HOME funded projects and HOME Consortium related responsibilities.
• Program income: Approximately $75,000 as additional funding for the approved activities.

Written and/or oral comments may be submitted to the CDA to the attention of Stephanie Newburg, HOME Program Coordinator, Dakota County CDA, 1228 Town Centre Drive, Eagan, MN 55123. Telephone: 651-675-4466, Fax: 651-675-4444, MN Relay Service: 1-800-627-3529. This information is also available on our website at www.dakotacda.org. Written comments will be accepted now through April 11, 2011.