CAC here to empower; YOU count! Fill out your 2020 census; Nfld EDA to consider Loan payment deferral

By Teri Knight, News Director

The Community Action Center continues to modify their programs to help with the changing needs of our community. Executive Director Scott Wopata commented, “we typically have some employment services we offer, we are exploring what that looks like to really offer on employment support in this really chaotic time until helping with some of those unemployment insurance claims or forms filling out online”. There have been changes regarding what day you should apply based on your Social Security number. That information is on our Covid-19 updated Resource page under MN DEED. They are also the primary provider of those facing

eviction or are homeless. As the Stay At Home order is now in effect, they are working to find ways to support those people. Of course the food shelf has seen increased demand. Legislators just approved $9 million to assist the state’s food shelves. Speaking of the influx of offers to volunteer, Wopata noted how great our community is, adding that, with the direction to stay at home, “and I know that’s hard on all of us, we get frustrated, we’re at home, we feel like we could be doing more. And that’s completely true. And we can all share in that experience of just that aim of wanting to do something tangible. But we do need to first and foremost remember that right now we’re being directed to stay home. And I think that’s important for all of us just to kind of take that breath and realize that’s, that’s necessary for all of our health”They are hyper vigilant with volunteers and are deliberately running with a skeleton crew. However, there are times they need people. Go to communityactioncenter.org to put your name in to volunteer, to donate dollars or make an in-kind donation. Wopata said one of the best things we can do is to check on each other and, “If you find something where somebody needs some extra support, please reach out to us at CDC. So our phone numbers 507-664-3550 or we set up a specific email address right now help@communityactioncenter.org” The CAC is here to empower all of us. 

YOU count! Fill out your 2020 census

The 2020 Census may have fell off the top page of news stories but it’s very important. Northfield Complete Count committee member, Char Carlson, said most everyone should have received notice in the mail. We have a picture of the envelope online. The envelope is addressed to “resident”. Carlson said, “you open that up and there is something called your census ID, which is a 12 digit combination of letters and numbers. And so with that number in hand, you can answer your census two ways. You can call on the telephone and someone will take the information from you”Carlson said that’s real easy. You can also do it online on any internet device, “and you can go to my2020census.gov. And when you put that into to your search engine up will pop the census page”The first thing they ask for is your ID number. The whole thing takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Carlson noted that, due to the covid crisis, they have suspended any in-person public outreach at this time. As for immigrants, she reiterated, all information is kept private for 72 years. If you need help, call, “1-844-330-2020 and in Spanish, that number would be 1-844-468-2020”. Filling out the census is important as the State’s representation in Congress is based off of numbers. Carlson said, “Federal money is distributed boundaries for where you vote will be established by the population”Listen to Carlson’s full interview on kymnradio.net. 

Nfld EDA to consider Loan payment deferral

The Northfield EDA will be holding a special meeting at 9 o’clock Thursday morning. They will be taking action on EDA Loan Payment Deferral for those businesses with an EDA loan who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location by dialing a conference number (646) 749-3122) and entering a conference code (254-494-341).  

Related Posts

Local Events

Together for Health – HealthFinders’ annual fundraising event celebrating 20 years of Community, Care and Connection.

Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Together for Health – HealthFinders’ annual fundraising event celebrating 20 years of Community, Care and Connection. Our community needs HealthFinders more than ever. During these times of disruption, our innovative community model can be resilient – with the financial and volunteer support of the whole community.​ When we come together for health we directly support […]

View Event »

Pride in the Park

Saturday, June 7, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Pride in the Park – Saturday, June 7, 12-4pm, Central Park, Northfield. Food trucks & vendors; Live music and performances, games and activities for all!

View Event »

Rice County Historical Society Speak Easy Fundraiser

Saturday, June 7, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Calling all Rum Runners, Bootleggers, Flappers, and Moonshiners! Join RCHS on June 7 for a night of fun, drinking, dancing, and raffles as we step back to the 1920s. Prohibition made bars and the sale of alcohol illegal across the United States, but illegal bars called Speakeasys showed up in every town and city. We […]

View Event »

Riverside Rendezvous & History Festival

Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Step back in time with the Rice County Historical Society as we present our Riverside Rendezvous & History Festival! This living history event is a chance to see the trades, tradition, and history of the 18th and 19th Century come alive before your eyes! We will have demonstrators, reenactors, music, food, and most of all […]

View Event »