The Rutland County community is invited to weigh in on the region's housing, public service and community and economic development needs at a state-sponsored forum at the West Rutland Town Hall Auditorium from 4 to 6 p.m. today.

The Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development is seeking input on how it should invest $13 million among three grant programs as it prepares a five-year plan to cover 2010 to 2015.

The three grant programs up for consideration are Community Development Block Grants, Home Investment Partnerships and Emergency Shelter Grants.

DEHCD and its partners, Rutland Economic Development Corporation, Rutland Regional Planning Commission, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont and BROC Community Action in Southwestern Vermont, are hoping to hear from business owners, child-care providers, residents of public housing, seniors, local developers, housing advocates, local food banks, small business lenders and downtown groups.

For more information, call Mary Ann Goulette, West Rutland town manager, at 438-2263 or Lisa Ryan of DEHCD at 828-1256.