by Kurk Kramer, Ecomonic Development Authority Coordinator
JUNE 2023 EDA BOARD MEETING SUMMARY
The June EDA Board Meeting was called to order at 12:00pm on June 27. I took the Board through the financial reports from the Revolving Loan Fund, Business Assistance Loan Fund, and summary reports of all 2023, and 2014-YTD EDA program disbursements.
Old business included the following: The Board approved the purchase agreement for the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, and it has been sent to the attorney in South Dakota for approval and signing. The closing date for the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery Association to take over ownership will be on or before July 14. There was nothing new to report on the joint effort with the HRA and EDA regarding addressing the housing needs in Sleepy Eye. The Board spent time again discussing the empty, vacant, and inactive buildings on Main Street. The EDA is currently looking at two buildings and has been in conversation with the current owners to purchase them. There are a number of things happening currently in these efforts and will hopefully become a reality in the near future. The Board was also updated on the efforts by the owner of the former Berg Hotel and City Hall buildings. It is the hope of the EDA that this will become something that we will soon see some positive activity regarding both properties.
New business in June: The Board was informed that there was another application in the works for the EDA Sign & Awning Program. I informed the Board that there was approximately two thousand dollars available that could be awarded for this application should it be approved.
Other EDA related information outside of the June meeting: The Farmer’s Market will be held on Saturday mornings from 9:00am until Noon on the south side of the parking lot at Schutz’s Family Foods. The plan is to have one each Saturday morning into October.
The landscaping work, sprinkling/water system, all the concrete, and the history of the Huey and all donor plaques have been installed around the Huey helicopter in Veteran’s Park. I personally would like to thank Michael Sprenger, Bleu Stem Garden Works, Jon Hanson, Harry Wurtzberger, and Borth Memorial for doing all the work in the final phase of this project.
It looks fantastic!
All eight of the benches have been installed along Main Street. This was part of the SMIF Grant that was awarded for revitalization of the Downtown District. The benches are in the following locations: one at the library, one on the corner of Hi-ways 4 and 14, two in front of City Hall, one in Wooldrik Park by the Chief Statue, one by the museum, and two in Veteran’s Park.
I would also like to encourage all Main Street businesses, if they haven’t been doing so, to display the US Flags, that were donated to them by First Security Bank, on the sidewalk in front of their business. It takes very little time and effort to put them out, and it shows support for our veterans and country!
If you would like more information or have any questions regarding EDA related topics, please feel free to contact me at 794-5636 or eda@sleepyeye-mn.com.