NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources Stimulates the Economy

NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources Stimulates the Economy

Deadwood, SD – October 7, 2010 Rural Development State Director Elsie M. Meeks and Area Director Tim B. Potts were in Deadwood today to present Neighborhood Housing Services of the Black Hills, Inc. DBA NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources (DHR) with three USDA Rural Development program funding awards.

“The federal funding will assist NeighborWorks DHR with completing final additions and improvements to their existing building, further economic development in western South Dakota, and assist in providing low cost, high quality and timely repairs for eligible homeowners,” said Meeks. “The funding represents the Obama Administration’s ongoing commitment to ensure that rural communities attract capital investments that lead to homeownership, business development and job creation.”

The three Rural Development awards presented today include a Community Facility Direct Loan of $150,000 which will be leveraged with an applicant contribution of $23,764 for a total of $173,764 which will assist with completing the second phase of the renovation to the existing building that houses their services; a Housing Preservation Grant of $54,518 to provide available loan and grant information, construction consulting and other housing related assistance – this grant will assist approximately 42 families; and a Intermediary Relending Program Loan of $750,000 to assist rural businesses and entrepreneurs obtain the financing they need to thrive, grow and create jobs.

“This is a very exciting day for NeighborWorks DHR! Thanks to USDA Rural Development we are enjoying a classroom for Homebuyers Education; we have funding to assist very low income homeowners with necessary repairs to their homes, and these funds will enable us to provide construction loans to build affordable homes for the low income families living and working in our communities,” said Joy McCracken, Executive Director of NeighborWorks DHR.

USDA Rural Development has eight offices in the state that assist rural communities. Office locations include a state office in Huron, along with area offices in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Yankton.

USDA, under its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in 500 national, state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $134 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

- USDA -

First Interstate Bank Donates $18,500 to NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resouces

First Interstate Bank Donates $18,500 to
NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources.

DEADWOOD, SD (10/27/10) – First Interstate Bank President Shawn Rost and Credit Analyst Samantha Childress, presented a check in the amount of $18,500 on behalf of First Interstate Bank and The First Interstate Bank Foundation, to NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources Executive Director Joy McCracken.

NeighborWorks is a non-profit organization with a mission to create decent, safe, and affordable housing in Black Hills Communities by offering free Homebuyer’s Education classes, credit counseling, and housing rehab services. The donation proceeds from First Interstate Bank will benefit NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources community outreach programs which strive to organize block club, Paint the Town, Kid Weird, and Warm and Safe.

Joy McCracken Executive Director of NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources stated “We appreciate the continued support from First Interstate Bank and for having the foresight to understand the benefits of homeownership and the positive outcomes it has on our families and communities. Through these strong partnerships our programs and services will continue to flourish.”

Since 1992, NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources has provided a variety of programs and services that has assisted more than 800 low-and moderate-income families with the purchase of their homes. First Interstate’s on-going generosity provides financial support for the continuation of such programs and services to benefit the residents of our communities.

First Interstate Bank was the first to show their support and help kick off NeighborWorks Annual “Campaign for Neighborhood”. Shawn Rost stated, “We are pleased to show our continued support of the mission of NeighborWorks, we know these funds will be used to assist families in achieving the dream of homeownership in Western South Dakota”.

For more information about NeighborWorks’ programs and services, call 578-1401 or visit its website at www.neigborworksdhr.org.

Whats going on in your Community?

Calendar of Events


October 29th- Kid Weird, Deadwood Chamber Pavilion. 4pm-8pm, Costume contest at 6pm.

November 4th- Casino Royal, Golden Hills Resort 5pm-8pm. Ten Dollars at the door. Food and Fun Provided,

November 9th- Deadwood Neighborhood Council meeting at 5:30pm located at the NeighborWorks Office. Contact Sharon for more information at 605-578-1401


Get Ready for the holiday season with your neighbors and let your Block be the best dressed during the Holiday season!

Upper Main Block CLub- November 20th

Burnham- November 27th

Rodeo Grounds- November 27th

Peck Garden- November 27th.

Presidential Neighborhood- November 28th (Soup Social to follow decorating)

Holiday Season is coming up and NeighborWorks and the Block Clubs know how to celebrate. Please contact Sharon or Stephany if you have an event that you would like added to the


Building
Neighborhoods
Together

How Can You Save

How Can you Save
Here are several no- or low-cost weatherization measures homeowners can undertake to reduce their energy use this winter season.
o Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees* or lower, or install a programmable thermostat. Depending on what you set your thermostat at and for how long, you could save 8 percent of your home’s heating energy consumption during the heating season.
*You may need to keep the thermostat set higher than 68 degrees for health reasons if a baby or elderly person is in the house.
Reduce water heater temperature setting.
o Set the water heater temperature as low as possible, but follow manufacturer recommendations for specific appliances.
o Insulate water heaters that are 10 years old and older, and hot water pipes.
Reduce hot water use.
o Install low-flow (two-gallons-per-minute or less) showerheads and faucet aerators.
o Take showers, not baths.
o Repair leaking faucets and water lines.
o Wash full loads of laundry and use cold water.
o Wash full loads of dishes. Select the energy-saver cycle, or simply open the dishwasher door once the cycle is complete to let the dishes air dry.
Let the sunshine in.
o Open the shades and curtains to allow sunlight to warm the inside of your home. Close them at night to help keep warm air in your home.
Clear a Space
o Clean air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture, carpeting, drapes or other items.
“Most of us are familiar with recycle and reusing, but how often do we think of the third R - REDUCE? ‘Reduce’ is probably the most important of the three Rs because, if we reduced, it would limit the need to recycle and reuse.”
Catherine Pulsifer, from The “Reduce” of Recycle and Reuse

Warm and Safe

Black Hills Power’s weatherization program, in partnership with NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources and Western South Dakota Community Action, assists selected customers who are unable to weatherize their own homes and also shares information about measures that customers can take to make their homes more energy efficient. Volunteers from Black Hills Power and NeighborWorks teamed up to provide this service to fifty households throughout Western South Dakota.

“NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources has worked to ensure our community members have decent, safe and affordable homes since 1992,” said Sharon Martinisko, Community Outreach Coordinator for NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources. “The weatherization partnership creates an opportunity to bring individuals in our community together to help homeowners in need throughout the Black Hills make their homes more energy efficient. Community volunteers make this event possible and successful.”
Over twenty volunteers came together on Saturday to help seven residents throughout Lead, Central City and Deadwood. Volunteers changed out light bulbs, caulked windows and cracks, installed insulation, wrapped water heaters, and covered windows. Black Hills Power donated all of the supplies including a new storm door for a Deadwood resident.

“Helping customers make informed energy decisions is a priority for Black Hills Power,” said Chuck Loomis, vice president, operations for Black Hills Power. “Energy consumption can be reduced through proper home weatherization and energy efficiency tactics. Many measures are simple to do, and most homes can be weatherized for approximately $100 or less.”

NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources would like to thank all of their partners and volunteers for Warm and Safe this year. It is community efforts
like this that show how important volunteering can be through out our communities. Warm and Safe