By Sara QuamLuverne Economic Development Authority Director Jill Wolf has requested to expand the area of Luverne eligible for building rehab grants.The Small Cities Grant has been available to Luverne businesses and residences for a year, but hasn’t been actively used.Wolf said, "Hopefully people will start taking advantage of it because it’s a great program. We’re not sure why people aren’t using it."She said a new round of advertising and an expanded land area should help.If approved, the new area would include the entire community. The current area is from the east side of Highway 75 to Blue Mound Avenue, from Fletcher to Brown Street.The grants are designed to help downtown areas.The grant program was awarded to Luverne through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.Rental housing repair loans have gotten the best response so far, and there are no more of those available.However, there are 18 commercial grants available with just six applications turned in, and 25 residential grants available with just five turned in.The city has $253,620 to provide commercial rehabilitation loans within the target area.The funding is in the form of a combination 0 percent deferred loan and low interest loan. The first 33 percent is deferred loan with a five-year term, forgiven at 20 percent per year. (Essentially, it becomes a grant after five years.) Another 33 percent is a 1 percent loan for up to a 15-year term. The remaining 34 percent is owner financed.The city has $362,700 for owner-occupied residential rehab, of which owners have to pay 20 percent on their own.There are income guidelines for the residential grants and loans.The following chart reflects the guidelines based on the number of people in the household and maximum household income:1: $29,2502: $33,4003: $37,6004: $41,7505: $45,1006: $48,4507: $51,8008: $55,100To apply for either grant program, contact Wolf at City Hall, 449-5033.JOBZ progressThe LEDA will attend a joint City Council and LEDA public hearing about the new business Luverne Welding and Machine, which is expanding from Pipestone. The hearing will allow time for public comment and for the boards to vote on the business subsidy agreement and Job Opportunity Building Zone eligibility.The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers.The state Department of Employment and Economic Development has approved moving a JOBZ site to the Industrial Park property on which the business will be located.