Information kiosk could be located at Sculpture Park

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met last Wednesday for their monthly meeting to discuss the status of development within the city.

Early on the agenda was an update on the CEDA (Community Economic Development Associates) update from Jordan Grossman. She shared with the board via phone call an update involving remaining funds, billboard changes, ongoing business videos, and a plan for any “leftover funds” from CEDA that could be potentially used for strategic planning or other qualifying projects. She also mentioned that CEDA would be offering the EDA a discounted service agreement once their funded hours were used up.

The EDA board had discussed changing their interest rates for their small business loans in the future last month and carried on the conversation with Grossman. She said that if the EDA’s loan funds were free of outside funding (i.e. fully comprised of paid-back loan monies) the board could set their own guidelines on interest rates for their loans in the future. The board will continue to look into options going forward.

Another topic of discussion was a visitor information kiosk that would potentially be set up at the Barn at the Sculpture Park. Depending on a few factors, the kiosk could be located inside or outside of the building and would ideally have a sign near Highway 10 informing visitors where they can find the information. A suggestion to make it possible for visitors to utilize bathrooms inside the Barn, visit the information booth, and potentially have waste disposal options for dogs as well.

In the South Point addition, Otter Tail County plans to pursue the two triplexes for senior housing that they have been waiting on grant funding for the past two years. This will leave South Point without any additional lots that are able to be sold until a lift station and further infrastructure is put in place there, which is a multimillion dollar project.

Adam Johnson updated the board on the Family Resource Center that is planned for a location in the NY Mills City Center building. He said that the county would know in April whether they received the grant for updating parts of the space they intend to use. If received, the timeline would start this fall. If the grant falls through and other funding is needed, the timeline would be pushed back.

The next EDA meeting will be on Wednesday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Chambers.