Help Improve Your Neighborhood: Attend a NRSA Meeting

The City of Beloit is hosting two neighborhood meetings to share the progress being made in the Hackett and Merrill neighborhoods, identify ongoing needs, and prioritize neighborhood goals.

 

The meetings are being held by the city’s Division of Community and Housing Services in the Community Development Department, the City of Beloit Police Department, and Community Action. Residents are welcome at either meeting, although information shared at each meeting will be specific to that particular neighborhood:

 

  • Hackett Neighborhood: Thursday, March 7, 6-8 p.m., Beloit Historical Society, 845 Hackett St.
  • Merrill Neighborhood: Monday, March 11, 6-8 p.m., Community Action's Pathways Center, 20 Eclipse Center

 

Spanish interpreters will assist Spanish-speaking residents in the crowd. Handout materials will be available in English and Spanish.

 

The Hackett and Merrill neighborhoods are part of the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), which is part of the city’s five-year Consolidated Plan for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The plan includes activities of sufficient size and scope to have a positive impact on a neighborhood within the jurisdiction of the local government. The NRSA brings together a variety of stakeholders to help enhance neighborhood revitalization, resident empowerment, and public safety in each neighborhood.

 

“The purpose of this plan is to address the concerns in the neighborhoods and meet the needs of the Beloit community,” said Teri Downing, deputy community development director. “These targeted areas allow the city to partner with other groups to provide a more comprehensive way to address the community’s needs. Through the city’s CDBG program, we are able to use more federal funds toward services and activities that directly assist people in these neighborhoods.”

 

Community Action will provide updates on the resident empowerment portion of the NRSA activities. Community Action provides programs such the fatherhood initiative, mentoring, skills enhancement, and the resource navigator.

 

“We are so proud and so honored to continue our collaboration with the City of Beloit,”said Marc Perry, Director of Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties. “We have accomplished a great deal by working together and are looking forward to opening more doors and creating more opportunities. As important as the partnership with the City of Beloit is, it pales in comparison to our commitment to the children and families in the Merrill and Hackett Neighborhoods. Without their acceptance and their trust, we could not be successful. I am looking forward to listening to and learning from our neighbors.”

 

The City of Beloit Police Department will go over the city’s accomplishments toward a safer community, including a reduction in violent crime. A drawing will be held at each meeting for a $50 Visa gift card sponsored by Community Action.