CASPER, Wyo. – The Wyoming Business Council is seeking input on ways to improve public involvement in planning and development for HUD funded programs in the state.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires states receiving certain HUD funds to prepare a Citizen Participation Plan that outlines how public involvement will take place in all aspects of planning and development of covered programs. They include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA).

The state reviewed Wyoming’s Citizen Participation Plan, which was adopted in 2010, and determined that changes may be necessary to help encourage public involvement. Every proposed change to the plan must allow for public comment.

"The way we communicate program information and get public input is vital,” said Julie Kozlowski, CDBG planning and program development manager. “It is appropriate to take a look at what is working and what's not and make adjustments. Good communication and public involvement means success for the programs and the people they serve.”

The Wyoming Business Council, which oversees the CDBG program in Wyoming, invites all citizens, public agencies and other interested parties to review the proposed changes and provide comments. Comments will be accepted Jan. 17 – Feb. 15. At the request of 20 or more individuals, a public hearing will be scheduled.

The draft document is available on the Wyoming Business Council website www.wyomingbusiness.org.

To submit comments or to request additional information, please contact Julie Kozlowski at julie.kozlowski@wyo.gov or 307.777.2812. The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing W­­­yoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.

For more information:
Kim (Sears) Kittel, Marketing and Public Relations
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.287.2170
Email: kim.kittel@wyo.gov

Category:	Entrepreneur, In State Companies, Community, Business, Education