KANKAKEE, Ill. (January 21, 2021) – The Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) will be partnering with the alderpersons from each ward to conduct needs assessments in each neighborhood. Each month, the ECDA will partner with a specific ward’s monthly meeting or schedule a meeting in that ward to hear the residents’ needs and feedback in their communities. The wards will rotate each month and these meetings will be held virtually until further notice. The 2021 schedule is as follows:

• January: Ward 4
• February: Ward 6
• March: Ward 1
• April: Ward 2
• May: Ward 5
• June: Ward 7
• July: Ward 3
• August: Ward 2
• September: Ward 1
• October: Ward 7
• November: Ward 5
• December: Ward 6

 

An additional meeting will be scheduled for Ward 3 and Ward 4. Details will be provided at a later date.

 

The January meeting for Ward 4 will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Please email yourvoice@citykankakee-il.gov for the meeting link. More information can also be found on www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

In previous years, community needs assessments have been conducted through surveys, neighborhood organization meetings, and community events.  “We want to be more intentional and inclusive in gathering important data that impacts our federal funding allocations,” states ECDA Executive Director, Barbi Brewer-Watson. 

 

The data collected from each one of these meetings will be added to other ECDA outreach efforts and will help create the 2021-2022 department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) City of Kankakee annual action plan. The data is also used to apply for additional federal, state, and charitable grants which aid city efforts in housing, beautification, neighborhood revitalization, public services, economic development, blight reduction, and more.

 

“As we continue to evolve to better serve our neighborhoods, these meetings serve as first of their kind to be conducted directly with the City’s aldermen and alderwomen in every ward. I am confident they will be a great addition to the ECDA’s community outreach strategy as we continue to move Kankakee Forward,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

 

The ECDA currently administers the following state and federal grant programs:

 

Community Development Block Grant

Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes Grant

Single Family Rehab

The Housing Accessibility Program

The Landbank Capacity Program

Single Family Repair Program

The Strong Communities Program

The Abandoned Properties Program

 

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About the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA):

The Kankakee Economic and Community Development (ECDA) is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Kankakee residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing, economic development and community development. The ECDA administers programs that serve the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Kankakee provided by federal, state and local funding. For more information, contact ECDA at 815-933-0506, Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit our website at https://ecda.citykankakee-il.gov/.

 

About the City of Kankakee, Illinois:

The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.