CEDA

Article by Michelle Vrieze

In November the CEDA staff authored over Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) Preliminary Proposals that could potentially bring $1.5 million in rehabilitation dollars to the Cities of Harmony, Spring Valley and West Concord.  The City of Harmony requested $497,200 of funds to rehab 20 housing units and the City of West Concord requested $547,000 to rehab 22 housing units which will benefit the low to moderate income households within designated target areas.  $539,750 was requested by the City of Spring Valley to rehab 14 rental units and 15 commercial buildings in their downtown business district.  These funds would have a large impact on the revitalization of these communities.

In December CEDA received notification from DEED that the Spring Valley application can continue through the process and that a full application should be submitted in February, 2013.

The SCDP program received 83 preliminary proposals of which 33 were selected to continue the application process.  DEED projects to award 25 projects with an estimated total of $14 million in grant funds.  These funds are very competitive as they continue to be reduced each year.

Article by Chris Giesen

Over the course of 2012 the Lewiston EDA, City Council, and Planning and Zoning Commission developed a plan to sell the historic 1897 former city hall/fire station building in an effort to initiate downtown revitalization.  Having sat empty for a number of years since City Hall moved to its current location at the Community Center, it has become home for an eclectic assortment of historic Lewiston artifacts but because of a number of functional and accessibility issues, it is no longer useful as a public office building.

Inspired by a project successfully completed by the City of Stewartville, the EDA requested that the city council look at using the building as an economic development project.  “This really is a forward-thinking project.” Said CEDA Community and Economic Development Specialist and Lewiston EDA Executive Director Chris Giesen.  “Lewiston has many positive projects going on simultaneously, but none of them had included downtown, until this project.  Downtown has been a priority for the EDA, but its tools were limited.  This was something that could be done with present resources and could have a very positive impact on the community.”  Giesen continued.

The EDA is currently preparing to advertise the property’s availability, which has been set up as a “request for proposal” process.  The EDA is requiring that proposals be made outlining any restoration, end use, materials used, and other aspects that an interested party would undertake should their plan be chosen.  The EDA will consider the future plans for the site and potentially sell the building for as low as $1 if the general character of the project is in the best interest of the city.  Interested parties are encouraged to contact Lewiston City Hall at 507-523-2257 for more information. 

Article by Chris Giesen

The Lewiston EDA recently began plans to put an interesting twist on the future of its former waste water ponds.  The EDA, with assistance from CEDA, began discussing options after the decision to decertify the waste water ponds was made certain by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and reports from the public that unusual birds had been sighted making the ponds home, drawing dozens of bird watchers from around the region after the bird sightings were reported on the internet.

“The question was, if these ponds are no longer going to be used by the city for waste water treatment and now there are rare birds that people are coming to see, how can we turn this into an opportunity to grow the community?”  said CEDA Community and Economic Development Specialist and Lewiston Economic Development Director Chris Giesen.  “Plus, this area would lend itself nicely to the recreational trail plan that Lewiston is developing.”  he continued.

Currently the Winona Soil and Water Conservation District has a native prairie planting on the approximately 40 acre site, but plans are underway to preserve the mud flats that attract the unusual Plover shorebird (which looks similar to a Killdeer) and possibly add other recreational features like walking trails and picnic areas.

The project is a joint effort between the Lewiston EDA, City Council, Winona Soil and Water Conservation District, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  “We also hope to start collaborating with the Lewiston-Altura School District and other service organizations like the Lewiston Sportsman’s Club.” said Giesen.

CEDA has continued to experience growth the past few years and with that growth brings some changes.  CEDA President/CEO Ron Zeigler will be expanding opportunities for continued growth at the company and Community and Business Development Specialist Chris Giesen will be taking over Ron’s day-to-day responsibilities with the Chatfield EDA two days a week.  This move also prompted a new hire to fill in the Lewiston EDA’s one day per week CEDA contract.  CEDA welcomes Community and Business Development Specialist Brian Moehnke as he takes over Chris’ role in Lewiston.  In addition, Community and Business Development Specialist Andrew Barbes will be taking over Chris’ responsibilities with the Dodge County EDA, serving a one day per week contract.