The Nudge Report (5/7/2021)
Back to Business, as usual?
With a successful National Rebuilding Day in our rear-view mirror, we’re ready to repair homes for our Kent County neighbors this summer! On Monday, we reviewed the neighbors where Scott has done an initial home visit. We analyzed the various repair requests and discerned the most critical needs. While we have not yet received confirmation from the Maryland Housing Trust to submit repairs costs, Scott will be engaging contractors to obtain written estimates for the selected repairs.
Our intention is to be able to invest the $75,000 from the MAHT grant between now and the end of September. We will also be using a portion of the MAHT grant to do additional repairs on some of the homes that had repairs funded by the USDA Grant. We also have a $10,000 grant from Lowes to assist in funding these repairs.
Later on Monday, with Scott’s guidance, Genevieve and I helped sort through and organize one of our storage bins. We were also able to move the contents of this bin to a vacant spot next to the other existing storage unit!
Other highlights from this week:
I attended a virtual information session to review program guidelines and criteria for the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) for FY2022. This could be a great funding opportunity for 2022.
The Kent County Commission on Aging, an advisory group appointed by the Commissioners is undertaking a project to potentially improve meeting the needs of local seniors by forming partnerships among local organizations. They are meeting with Kent County service organizations who may help meet these needs and plan to hold a luncheon with both groups to explain needs and pursue potential matches. This is a great opportunity to engage area seniors as volunteers!
Rebuilding Together Kent County has been selected by local ACME store leadership as the benefiting non-profit in the GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag Program! For the month of June 2021, Rebuilding Together Kent County will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $3.00 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag at the ACME store located at 711 Washington Avenue, Chestertown MD.
We’ve received the first cut of a professionally produced neighbor video, featuring Candy, a neighbor we served on NRD!
We just received our “Certificate of Status” for 2021 (generally called a “good standing” certificate) from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. They issue a certificate verifying that a business entity is in “good standing,” which means that all documents and fees required by law to be submitted to the Department have been received and that no other government agency has notified the Department that the entity is delinquent in tax payments. This certificate is typically required when we apply for grants.
Yet another PPP (Payroll Protection Program) update! PNC Bank has begun accepting requests for “Forgiveness” of the loan they made us last year at the beginning of the pandemic. They indicated we should hear within “2 or 3 weeks” that the paperwork was accepted and we would be eligible for forgiveness of the entire loan! We’ll see!
SAVE the DATE! Fall Rebuilding Day - September 25th!
- Wayne
Rebuilding Together Kent County is the most impactful nonprofit in Kent County!
Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives. Safe homes and communities for everyone.
…ending substandard housing in our community!