EDA updated on potential housing options

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The meeting may have lasted less-than half an hour, but the New York Mills Economic Development Authority received some positive news about future housing projects in the community.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday morning, the NY Mills EDA heard from board member Latham Hetland about an offer for a free housing study from Otter Tail County. Hetland said Amy Baldwin informed the City of NY Mills that the county received a grant to complete housing studies. A recent study was completed in Fergus Falls and Pelican Rapids, and Baldwin offered to have a similar study done in NY Mills.

The hope was the study could identify future housing needs as the city looks to sell the remaining lots at Country View, as well as develop the South Point Project.

“She is going to present it to us at some point and get us some details,” said Hetland.

In addition to the housing study, Hetland said Baldwin informed the city that she has been talking to a developer who could be interested in constructing several single family houses in the County View development. Nothing has been finalized, but the hope was the city could sell several of the lots to the developer, who could then in turn construct much needed homes in the community.

Hetland said these are good examples of why it is important for the city to maintain a good relationship with people at the county level as they have access to resources and individuals that could benefit NY Mills.

In other news

• Discussed the need to identify businesses in the community that have owners who could be retiring, or looking to sell in the future. The NY Mills EDA members said they didn’t want to intrude on a business owners plan, but also didn’t want to see some of the needed services in the community close and leave a void in town. Rather than closing altogether, the EDA could help facilitate a sale, or find someone to take over the business.

• Heard brief updates on the South Point Project and the NY Mills Walking Trail projects. 

• Approved setting Oct. 20 at 8:30 a.m. in the city hall ballroom as the next meeting date for the NY Mills EDA.