Household surveys planned in Ironwood

IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood has received notification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation it is no longer eligible to receive funding from the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Eligibility is determined through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“To qualify for grants and programs to assist in revitalizing the city of Ironwood, we are required to conduct surveys to update basic demographic information and need your participation,” said Ironwood Community Development Director Michael Brown.

Millions of dollars are at stake.

As a result, researchers from the Community Research Center at Lake Superior State University will visit around 600 randomly selected households within the next few weeks to conduct a short, anonymous survey, seeking the following information:

—Household size and income level (with one category: “Do you make above or below an amount based upon the number of people in your household?”

—Household adult disability status.

—Household ethnicity and whether the head of household is female.

“We are required to collect updated information to qualify for most federal and state improvement grants. To do this, we need the participation of all residents who are selected,” Brown said.

No one’s name will be recorded and the information collected will be assigned to a random number. “Researchers will not share individual data with either the city or the state, just the averages and percentages within each category. We sincerely ask you to participate in this survey to support the city,” Brown said.

For more information, contact Brown with any questions or comments at 906-932-5050, ext. 126.