Community group is seeking a person for executive steering committee

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15 to discuss the state of development in town.

Tim Muehler and Caleb Monson were welcomed as the newest members of the EDA Board after being officially accepted by the city council the night before.

The revolving loan fund balance sits at $66,940.38 with all loans current except for Backwoods BBQ. Closing on the business building was scheduled for last week, but has been rescheduled.

Latham Hetland, treasurer, updated the board on NYM Forward. The Executive Steering Committee has been busy with the Welcoming Communities Cohort since its first meeting in September. The kickoff was held that same afternoon and was open to community members of all backgrounds, including those who live, work, and consider themselves a member of the NY Mills community.

The surveys are available online and in person and encourage local community members to share their experiences with the school system, health care system, law enforcement, local government, non-profit sector, religious organizations, and business community in NY Mills. Each survey in the assessment takes about 5-7 minutes to complete and everyone is invited to fill out as many sectors as they feel applies to their own lives.

This assessment will be available for the next two weeks online and on hard copy at several different areas around town, including at the Public Library and the Cultural Center. 

“We want as many people as possible to fill the survey out,” said Betsy Roder, EDA board president.

NYM Forward is also seeking one more member to join their Executive Steering Committee as they are currently one member short. Interested individuals are invited to reach out on their Facebook page.

In other news

Roder commented on the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the 60-unit apartment building. The event was featured in several local newspapers as well a county newsletter. There is a large variety of heavy equipment on the construction site and lots of activity going on.

Blaine Novak said that since the construction didn’t start until the fall, the construction plan is a bit unique. Tip up walls will be constructed for the ground floor and the foundation and indoor work will be completed this winter. Further ground work and outdoor expansion will commence again in the spring after the thaw.

Novak also brought up the agenda item of the Community Resource Center that has been in the works for some time now. The county is moving forward with the idea and Novak submitted NY Mills as a viable site for the center. Past discussion offered the idea of a shared center between Perham and NY Mills, located in this city.

Julie Roberts, city clerk, informed the board that the city will be purchasing the two lots south of the railroad tracks on Highway 67 back from Gabrielson, who was formerly intending to build a duplex on the lot. The city has signed its paperwork and is waiting for the seller to finalize his papers.

The next meeting of the NY Mills EDA will be on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Chambers.