By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met last week to discuss updates within the city. The EDA board is already busy in the new year with progression for economic development.

Jordan Grossman from Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) contacted Julie Roberts to connect her to Ryan Tungseth of Growth Forge Studio based out of Fergus Falls. Growth Forge Studio is a digital marketing company with experience with artificial intelligence (AI). Tungseth is open to the idea of holding a workshop on digital marketing and an introduction to AI. He asked that the EDA provide a space, light lunch and to get the word out to the community. Grossman said that CEDA grant funds could be used for this event. The EDA will plan for this event to be during the last week of February.

The Community Kickoff sponsored by the NY Mills Civic & Commerce will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22 with a 5:30 p.m. social hour and a 6 p.m. program. Jordan Grossman will be the keynote speaker and will present on how the CEDA grant have been utilized in the city. One example is the EDA’s billboard which is currently on the east side of Detroit Lakes on Highway 10. It will change locations each month.

The City of NY Mills was informed that they received the second round of Downtown Matching Grant Program funds for 2025. This year’s program will be opened in February and will be almost identical with last year’s program except it allows for interior renovations for businesses, as well as exterior.

The city will also be offering a new tax rebate program, which will be a $5,000 match from the city and will ask the county to match with $5,000. The city will lead the program instead of the county as it had in the past. Lots within the Country View addition will now qualify for this program as the TIF District has been decertified. Pricing will be adjusted for these Country View lots contingent on research on the area market.

The South Point apartment building already has nine tenants, which means it is at 15 percent capacity at this time. The Gohmans were said to be content with this level of occupants as they finish off the project. Cleanup of the site is still underway. 

The NY Mills Lions Club plans to plant trees and place benches along the walking trail once summer arrives. 

Otter Tail County was expected to hear about whether or not they would receive the grant for the senior housing which fulfills the contingency they have on a purchase agreement for two lots in the South Point addition.

The Family Resource Center is progressing with Julie Roberts working with Lynn Penke-Valdes, Deputy County Administrator for Otter Tail County. It is planned to be situated in the City Center and it’s anticipated that it will open in 2026. The city will need to submit an application for the grant program to renovate the space to put in egress windows and update the elevator. The Family Resource Center will have resources from Mahube OTWA, Parenting classes and other like organizations.

A new Community Development grant is available for the EDA to submit an application to receive up to $50,000 in matching funds. The board will be looking at ideas for needed projects and are open to new opportunities. 

NY Mills EDA President Betsy Roder gave a report on the Talking Trail. A brochure will be put together about the trail and an idea to put an unmanned visitor’s center with area information in the Sculpture Park was discussed. The idea was tabled for the next meeting.

The next EDA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Chambers.