News + Announcements

In January 2017, CEDA team member Amanda Leightner began working with Byron Economic Development Authority to provide economic development services to the City.

Leightner will serve the Byron community two days per week.

“It’s an exciting year for Byron as the city celebrates its sesquicentennial” Leightner said, “I am looking forward to being a part of it!”

To mark the sesquicentennial milestone and celebrate the amenities in Byron, one of the highly-anticipated projects that will be focused on is a fresh, comprehensive marketing campaign. This project will include the creation of a hashtag that embodies the culture and lifestyle of Byron. This new venture will involve collaboration between the Byron EDA, Byron Public School System, and the Byron Chamber of Commerce.

 

Article by: Ryan Yetzer

On January 11, 2017, AcenTek, the Voice, Video and Internet provider out of Houston, MN, was awarded a $1.78 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to extend fiber broadband access to the rural Lanesboro area. The CEDA team was able to play an instrumental role in securing this funding by drafting AcenTek’s Boarder to Boarder Broadband Grant application. CEDA utilized their economic development services contract with Fillmore County to facilitate a valuable partnership between the CEDA grant writers, Fillmore County’s EDA, and AcenTek.

“Extending broadband services to rural communities is an important project for southeast Minnesota. AcenTek was an outstanding partner to work with, and we couldn’t be happier that they were chosen to receive funding” said CEDA’s Ryan Yetzer who was the primary author of the successful grant application.

Of the 42 projects awarded State funding, only 3 projects were awarded a larger dollar amount. This project will allow AcenTek to extend fiber broadband services to the rural Lanesboro area, including sections of the City of Whalan, Carrolton Township, and Holt Township.

This project will provide world class broadband speeds to 431 household, 42 businesses, and one community anchor institution, all of which are currently considered “unserved” by State standards. AcenTek’s project is a great example of a public-private partnership–the State of Minnesota is contributing $1.78 million, Fillmore County is contributing $75,000, and AcenTek is picking up the remaining $2.8 million through private investment, for a total project investment of $4.68 million. This project is expected to be completed by mid-2018.

Article by: Cris Gastner

A snowy December day did not chill the excitement and enthusiasm as recycled materials manufacturer Envirolastech, Inc. broke ground on their new $3 million facility in St. Charles. The groundbreaking marks the culmination of efforts to assist the company in locating its first manufacturing plant in the community.

CEDA Sr. Vice President Cris Gastner has worked with company officials on behalf of the City over the last year to assist in putting together a financial incentive package that would allow the project to move forward. “Several partners had to come together to assist in making this project a reality.” Gastner said “The company was able to find its primary financing, but a number of other entities had to step up to get this project to the construction phase.”

Gastner assisted company officials in securing a $60,000 gap financing loan through CEDA in addition to an $183,766 award from the Job Creation Fund through DEED. Winona County has also approved a $150,000 revolving loan and the Southern MN Initiative Foundation has approved a $100,000 revolving loan for the project as well. Earlier in 2016, Gastner worked with the City’s EDA and City Council to include a four acre parcel of land as part of the incentive package for the company as well. The company hopes to have the plant complete and operational in early spring 2017.

Article by: Cathy Enerson

In June of 2016, the Post Bulletin ran a story about Eyota’s lack of a dental practice and its EDA’s plan to attract one. Cathy Enerson of CEDA, who serves as the economic development staff for Eyota, notes “People are reading the newspaper. Several dentists and dental students responded to the article by inquiring through the city website about the opportunity”. Dr. Phillip Perry, owner of Perry Dental in Wabasha, acted fast and optioned to purchase a building suited for opening a dental practice. Dr. Perry credits the Post Bulletin article with drawing the need to his attention.

The City of Eyota has recently approved a final incentive package for Dr. Perry to open a practice in Eyota in early 2017. The practice will include both full service dentistry and orthodontic services. Eyota’s previous dentist retired several years ago.  Eyota’s Mayor, Tyrel Clark, said “The city has been without a dentist for approximately 10 years. The nearest dental practice to the city is about 10 miles away in either Elgin or St. Charles.”

Enerson and the Eyota Economic Development Authority worked closely with Dr. Perry and recommended to the Eyota City Council to approve $25,000 in loans from two separate EDA funds along with a $15,000 forgivable loan from Eyota’s Rochester Sales Tax funds.

The EDA funds will help the new business purchase the building where the practice will be located and dental office equipment. “It really helps the first few months after opening,” Perry said. “We’re starting from square one, which isn’t done very much anymore because of the high costs of starting a new business.”  The practice will be open two days a week to start until the Perry’s build up their clientele.

The EDA developed a strategic plan for using the Rochester Sales Tax funds and the development of a commercial building to attract health care professional is goal number one. Data indicating the types of community health care needs was collected through a community health care needs assessment. The survey, conducted by the EDA, saw 52% of area residents respond.  Dr. Perry is willing to lease an area within the building for an additional health service business such as a chiropractor, massage therapist, or clinic.