CRYSTAL FALLS—The Dickinson-Iron Community Services weatherization program has broadened its income guidelines for eligibility; however, seeing funding for the applicants is in a “hurry up and wait” mode, said DICSA Housing Director Don Tramontin to the Iron County Board of Commissioners April 14.

Tramontin gave the board an update on the program during its regular bi-monthly meeting, saying that the federal stimulus money has not yet been released. Supplemental funding is being supplied, enough for 26 homes.

“The Department of Energy and the Department of Labor have to come together on it,” Tramontin said. DICSA is continuing to meet with contractors to provide them with pricing structures and guidelines. Another snag in the program will occur if a project will have to go out on a bid process. Also, Tramontin said, if apprentice carpenters are used, there will be a training period required.

“This could really stall out the process,” he said. Currently, 418 homes in both counties qualify for the weatherization program. Twenty-six contractors, five in Iron County, have also responded.

Participation is encouraged, and interested homeowners can make an appointment with Jan Gibson at the Iron River Senior Center (265-5590.) The income guidelines have been adjusted to include maximum limits of 200 percent of poverty or 60 percent of the state median income, whichever is greater.

“It shouldn’t be considered a low-income program as much as an energy efficiency program,” he said, noting the maximum annual income eligibility from a single individual at $22,648 to a family of four at $44,100.

another recipient of the stimulus has been the Michigan Works program. Commissioner George Brunswick reported that the summer youth program, for example, has been expanded both in duration and eligibility.

The program will now start in May. There are 60-70 spots to fill, compared to 28 last year.. Eligibility has been extended to 24 years of age, with the hopes of attracting more college-age and older participants.

Additionally, some positions requiring experience or special skills may pay as much as $10.40 per hour. And, Brunswick said, there is the possibility that private industry may request workers.

the board approved revision of its Revolving Loan Fund policy, in light of changes in some procedures by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Economic Developer Julie Melchiori explained that the MEDC has final approval of any loan and Iron County’s policy “hasn’t been revamped in 10 years.”

One change, she said was as criteria for approval, the loan should not exceed 30 percent of the total project. With the MEDC requiring, in some cases, environmental reviews at the borrower’s expense, “It could leave out smaller businesses, who may only be asking for a $10,000 loan,” said Melchiori.

“It’s not worth it to them, so we changed the policy.”

Another revision requires any industrial or commercial request provide 51 percent of its employment opportunities to be held by low and moderate income persons.