(KLZA)-- Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc. (SENCA) has donated $10,000 to help kick-off year two of the Humboldt Improvement Project, implemented by State Bank of Table Rock in 2023.

The $10,000 provided by SENCA, will match the $10,000 State Bank of Table Rock has designated to the project for 2024.

Mark Joy, President of State Bank of Table Rock, said the bank modeled Humboldt- Improvement Project after a similar housing improvement project in Pawnee City. The bank made a commitment to invest $10,000 a year, for 2023 and 2024, into the Humboldt project, with the goal of securing additional support.

The Humboldt Community Foundation, who manages the project funds, and Humboldt Shares each donated to the 2023 project for a total of $21,000.

Three properties were approved the first year of the project, with one of the properties already completed. State Bank has also implemented like projects in the communities of DuBois and Table Rock.

As a local Community Action Agency that provides a variety of programs and services addressing top needs in communities throughout southeast Nebraska, SENCA incorporated housing as a top priority in the agency- 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. SENCA has more than 20 years of experience managing and operating housing programs such as Rental Housing, Owner-Occupied Rehab, and Down-Payment Assistance with Minor Rehab. SENCA- initial goal was to utilize some of the agency- discretionary funding to help develop and implement a catalytic housing project to help clean-up and improve dilapidated properties and then work with local and community partners to secure funding allowing the project to expand. Partnering with State Bank of Table Rock on the Humboldt Improvement Project is a perfect opportunity to help combine local resources for project success and community betterment. Humboldt, like many small communities throughout southeast Nebraska, has its share of dilapidated, partially destroyed, or abandoned properties that not only appear unsightly, but are a menace to public health and safety. Unfortunately, for many property owners, the costs associated with clean-up and improvement of these properties has been a deterring factor in getting the job done.

As an incentive, the Humboldt Improvement Project reimburses property owners up to $8,000 for the cost of demolition and debris removal of properties that are in need of improvement. There are no income guidelines to apply. Interested property owners within the Humboldt community simply need to contact Allison James at the State Bank of Table Rock in Humboldt. Once an application has been completed and submitted it will be reviewed by members of the project committee. Applications are on a first-come-first-served basis. Approved property owners are required to complete the projects designated Nuisance Property Demolition Checklist. After each of the requirements have been completed, including taking measures to improve the appearance of the lot after demotion, the property owner will submit applicable receipts to the project committee for review and approval. Following approval, a check will be issued and mailed to the property owner within 30 days of submission. For more information regarding the Humboldt project, or to complete an application, please contact the State Bank of Table Rock Humboldt Branch, 402-862-2434. For additional information regarding SENCA, please call the SENCA Central Office in Humboldt, 402-862-2411 or visit www.senca.org.

Pictured are: Kelly Shupp and Allison James, Humboldt Improvement Project Committee Members, Vicky McNealy, SENCA Executive Director, and Mark Joy, State Bank of Table Rock/Project Committee Member.