Chris Giesen

Article written by Chris Giesen

 

In June, a ceremony was led by Chatfield Mayor Russell Smith and EDA President Michael Tuohy to break ground on Chatfield’s latest redevelopment project and newest pace to grab a cup coffee.  “This project took quite a bit of planning,” said Chatfield community development coordinator and CEDA Vice President Chris Giesen.  Owners Alicia Hinckley and EB Allen approached the EDA about 18 months ago we were able to help them discus locations, address site issues once they chose a spot, and assist with financing the project” he continued.

“They chose a great spot on the north end of Chatfield along Highway 52, just across the street from Chatfield’s high school that overlooks Mill Creek to the west.  We have definitely seen an uptick in activity and interest in this area for redevelopment recently” said Giesen.  He went on “Redevelopment projects can be a little trickier because there are additional factors at play such as existing conditions that need to be dealt with or reconfigured.  In order to make good projects like this work financially, we usually have to look at what tools we have available.  In this case we were able to leverage $81,000 in tax increment financing to make the project work.  We are excited to see this area of Chatfield grow.”

One issue that needed to be addressed was pedestrian access; in an area currently not served by sidewalks or trails, discussions were held with City, Olmsted County, and MnDOT officials to ensure sidewalks and crosswalks could be adequately installed.  In addition to demolition of an existing home on the property, additional dirt work was needed to control storm water runoff.  Construction is well underway and the owners expect to sell the first cup of coffee in fall 2015.

Article written by Cathy Enerson

 

Eyota welcomes Zetcorp Inc., a wholesale distribution company that specializes in custom packaging for items such as sausages, and other specialty meat packaging items.
Owners, Kurt and Jennifer Zetah have made a significant investment in the City of Eyota, they recently broke ground on a 1.2 million dollar, 13,000 sq. ft. facility for warehousing and custom packaging.

Kurt Zetah, originally from Brainerd, Minnesota, has 24 years of diverse domestic and international business experience. Jennifer Zetah, originally from Rochester, Minnesota, has strong marketing and sales experience and 14 years of combined business-to-business and business-to-customer experience. The owners are hands on at the facility and plan to employ seven (7) people, thou that number could swell to 13, at the new site, adding a significant number of new jobs and tax base to the City of Eyota, states Cathy Enerson Economic Development and Community Development Specialist. Kurt and Jennifer have moved from Michigan back to their home state of Minnesota. Jennifer is excited to be back home in the Rochester / Eyota area. Jennifer worked closely on the site selection, hiring their contractor, AB Systems, and with the City of Eyota. The Zetah’s experienced a smooth government process while working with Eyota’s government agencies. The new facility is located in People’s Electric Cooperative territory, with help from the City’s Economic Development Director, the Zetah’s brought their plans to People’s Electric cooperative’s staff to identify current and future cost savings. Zetcorp purchased two lots in the NW Investment Commercial District, for a total of 1.6 acres and will be located across from Prestige Auto.
Another recent addition to NW Investments includes B & C Plumbing, owned locally by Brian Halverson and Chad Schroeder, both highly experienced heating and plumbing contractors. Their construction project provides the City with 25 jobs, and a nearly half a million dollar investment in land and buildings. The EDA Director points out that in rural development adding 30 new jobs to a community the size of Eyota, population 2040, is equivalent to 1,500 new jobs to a City with a population the size of Rochester.

While driving around Eyota, you will find a number of other improvement projects throughout the community, which at times appears to be large piles of dirt! Eyota’s Mayor Tyrel Clark explains what looks like eruptions within the City of Eyota is progress. 2015 Eyota projects include: street and infrastructure improvements in the historic downtown, a new roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 14 and Hwy 42, the completion of Safe Routes to Schools, a $355,000 grant project that provides residents with 2 miles of walkability in the areas located within walking distance to the schools, the completion of the public walking trail along Hwy 42, a $70,000 grant project, the new athletic field which includes a turf surfaced football field, the addition to the elementary school, and recent renovations at Arbor Gardens Senior Living Center, which added Memory Care, providing residents with more opportunities to age in place.

Our 2014 Annual Report is now available by clicking the link below!

CEDA 2014 Annual Report

 

F&M Community Bank, Community and Economic Development Associates to Compete for $15,000 Strong Communities Award

(Chatfield, Minnesota) – The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) is excited to announce that F&M Community Bank and Community and Economic Development Associates have been selected as one of six Strong Communities Award finalists vying for the opportunity to receive $15,000.

FHLB Des Moines challenges communities to rally behind their community’s project during a public vote from July 21-August 1 on Strengthening Communities Together™ at www.fhlbforcommunity.com. The finalist receiving the most votes will be awarded a $15,000 stipend to support small business and economic development growth in their community.

FHLB Des Moines member F&M Community Bank teamed up with Community and Economic Development Associates to retain and expand on an industrial project in Chatfield, Minnesota. F&M Community Bank, Community and Economic Development Associates and other community partners prevented one of the community’s largest industrial employers, EZ Fabricating, from relocating operations by financing construction and public improvement costs.

The retention of EZ Fabricating has created new full-time jobs, grown the tax base and helped create a revolving loan fund for future projects.

The Strong Communities Award honors the projects, the people and the programs that promote small business growth and retention in their communities.

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a wholesale cooperative bank that provides low-cost short and long-term funding and community lending to more than 1,200 members, including commercial banks, saving institutions, credit unions and insurance companies. The Bank is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. The Des Moines Bank serves Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota and is one of twelve regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

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Read the full Strong Communities Award Press Release.

CEDA’s full 2013 annual report is available to view or download at the following link:

2013 Annual Report