| By Neil Johnson, reporter/anchor, Big Radio |

Beloit kicks off a reassessment of the city’s biggest needs next week with the first of three planned talks with local social service agencies.

City grants administrator Megan McBride says the talks are the first stage of a five-year update to Beloit’s consolidated plan. That’s the city’s roadmap on how to direct big-ticket community development block grants.

Block grants can be used to help people who have special needs, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

McBride says the first set of talks will focus first on housing affordability and homelessness, but the overall consolidated plan gauges numerous other community needs, including public infrastructure and workforce readiness.

After the talks, Beloit officials plan public listening sessions this winter in the Merrill and Hackett neighborhoods and a public survey to help the city prioritize its responses to needs.

The city plans public hearings in on the new consolidated plan this spring and summer.