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Do you know what your energy costs are and how much you could save through some energy efficiency improvements? Well then, let Ottertail help you out. Ottertail offers business and homeowners energy audits to their customers.
Here’s what you can gain through an energy audit.
- Get an idea of your heat loss
- Learn what your energy costs are and how they could be be lowered through some energy efficiency measures
- Information on Ottertail’s rebates available for energy efficiency improvements
The audit is free and covers areas such as fuel, electric, windows, 
lighting, etc. It does not include diagnostic testing. It would consist of an Ottertail rep coming to your home or business and giving you a general idea on of your heat loss, etc, and discussing your energy efficiency and money-saving options.
This will arm you with the information needed to get a bid from your local contractor and see if your energy cost savings would be worth the cost of the upgrade. Who knows… the cost of the improvement might just allow you to quit throwing your hard-earned money out the window.
Does -10°F and sunny have you itching for your first tee-time this spring? I sure am, and I don’t even golf! (but I’m 
going to start!) Imagine yourself in only a few short months at the the Clear Lake Golf Course, Gary Golf Course, and the new Prairie View Country Club at Lake Cochrane. The Prairie View Country Club is planned to open in late spring / early summer. I’ve taken many walks around the course; it’s beautiful and is definately something to get excited about!
Take a a look at their new website. Here’s a sneak peek at it, it looks great. Eventually you will be able to reserve your tee-time right on their website.
Wondering about the lots surrounding the golf course? They have been in high demand with 37% of the lots already sold. The spec house available is available for viewing. 18 lots will have private lake access with beautiful shoreline and boat slips included. Construction on a full clubhouse will start this spring. Cheers for summer, sunshine, and golf!
Everyday, millions of Americans dream of owning a brand new home but do not believe that it is an option for them. However, now with the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program made possible by Rural Development & Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP), that dream may now be a reality!
The Mutual Self-Help Housing Program provides eligible participants with the opportunity to build themselves new homes by contributing part of the labor necessary for the job in exchange for “sweat equity” in the property. In our area, ICAP is in search of 3+ eligible families to participate in the program. So whether you are interested in the project yourself, you may know someone who is, please help us pass the word!!!
Once the families have been qualified, they will work together, under the guidance of a construction supervisor, to construct a home for each family. No one will be able to move into their newly constructed homes until all three homes are completely finished. The potential site for the homes is a piece of land near the Clear Lake watertower, currently for sale by East Central Development Corporation.
Recent home constructed in Brookings
So what are the eligibility requirements? Income guidelines are as follows, and a few other requirements apply.*
- 1 person–$29,450
- 2 person–$33,700
- 3 person–$37,900
- 4 person–$42,100
- 5 person–$45,450
- 6 person–$48,850
- 7 person–$52,200
- 8 person–$55,550
Hold on though… even if your income is above this threshold, you still may income-qualify. You can deduct the following from your annual gross income:
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$480 for each family member under 18 years old
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Day care expenses
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$400 for family with member 62 years of age or older
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Medical expenses for an eligible elderly or disabled household
Now that all of the requirements have been taken care of, you may be wondering about the details of the project. ICAP will supply technical, on-site instructions to the participants by providing a Construction Supervisor. This specialist will teach the families everything they need to know about building a house. Excavation, pluming, electrical work, etc. will be subcontracted to licensed professionals. The entire construction process should take between 8 to 12 months.
Each house may be unique in character. The owner has a wide variety of approved floor plans to pick from and has full authority about which siding colors, shingles, cupboards, countertops, lights and floor coverings are used.
The Mutual Self-Help Housing Program provides participants with the opportunity to learn valuable skills and avoid paying closing costs or a down payment for their new home. More than that, they will be able to fulfill the dream that many Americans share- owning a home.
If you are interested in becoming part of this project, please contact Dana Whitehouse at (605) 692-6391 or dwhitehouse@interlakescap.com.
*Other requirements include having a sufficient enough income to afford the costs of owning a home, having less than 4.1% of income going to future payments, and having an acceptable credit history.
Also, feel free to contact Briana Hoffman with any questions about the program. briana.hoffman@rurallearningcenter.org or 605-874-8038.
When you think of the changing seasons, what exactly comes to mind? Is it, ‘Oh boy, I can’t wait for this warm weather!’ or is it more like, ‘Oh great, here comes summer. My cooling costs are going to jump throug
h the roof!’ If you are in the latter category, you may be just who ICAP (Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership) is looking for!
Don’t you wish there was something or someone that could help you with your heating and cooling costs? Well, now there is. Weatherization may now be an option! As part of the stimulus funding, more families are now eligible for home weatherization assistance. Some of the categories you might be able to save on are insulation, caulking, window/door repair, and heating system repair/replacement. If you apply and qualify, there is no cost to you for the upgrades, and no repayment. Any of these measures would help with energy conservation and lower your heating and cooling costs drastically!
Wondering if you qualify for this? You’re in luck. We happen to have the list of guidelines right here in the DADi office! The guidelines are as follows:
FAMILY HOUSEHOLD SIZE ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME
- 1 person $21,660
- 2 person $29,140
- 3 person $36,620
- 4 person $44,100
- 5 person $51,580
- 6 person $59,060
- 7 person $66,540
- 8 person $74,020
If you fall into one of these categories and are interested in saving, please contact Audrey Poppen at (605) 874-2062. Please help us spread the word to anyone and everyone you know of that fits this description. Working together, we can make a difference! Don’t wait. Call TODAY!
~This post brought to you by Angela Kjenstad, DADi summer intern
