By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met last Wednesday, April 16 to discuss the changing business landscape across the city.

While all loans were current or ahead with a revolving loan fund balance of $227,501.82, the EDA board discussed the possibilities of changing the interest rates for future loans in order to disburse more of their funding towards local business opportunities. After some deliberation,  the board approved changing the interest rates on all loans moving forward. New rates will have a floor of four percent with a ceiling at seven percent and all rates in-between will be a half percent above the prime rate.

The boards first item of new business was an outline of services from Creating Community Consulting (CCC) by owner and operator Karen Pifher, who gave an overview of her business. Services offered by CCC includes everything from economic development planning, training and education, grant writing resources, capacity building, strategic planning, and coaching to help organizations and board continue into the future with skills to continue these programs on their own.

Pifher has been immensely successful in Frazee over the past few years with the CornerStone Community and Youth Center, as well as Wannigan Park and making headway with economic development in many areas. Her projects around Frazee encompass much of the recent improvements and progress in that city. Her staff of 12 includes sites in Frazee, Moorhead and Glenville and work in 20 counties across the state.

The EDA board showed interest in the opportunity to work with Pifher and Creating Community Consulting and asked that she send them a quote for her services. This will be discussed at the next meeting whether or not the board will move forward with utilizing their services.

Under old business, the board discussed the CEDA funds and what they are looking to do with the final few dollars in that fund. The NY Mills billboards have been updated to a more eye-catching design. Jordan Grossman will be sending business videos finalized from her time working with the EDA.

One Downtown Matching Grant Program application had been submitted to Julie Roberts. The application from Continental Divide Brew Pub is asking for $1,196.50 for a project to expand their outdoor seating and the addition of a pergola. Roberts recommended the application for approval and board members approved the application with the following abstentions: Betsy Roder, Bonnie Dykhoff and Latham Hetland.

Roberts also updated the board on the Country View addition where the city is closing on two lots and has a purchase agreement on another. This will leave four remaining lots in that addition.

Nick Roder said that the fire department held a training session at South Point with a controlled burn that continued on Wednesday evening. 

Roberts said that the last update she had heard on the apartment building was that they had 20 renters and had about two additional apartments filled per week.

Roberts also updated the board on the Family Resource Center that will be located in the City Center building. Otter Tail County received a grant for $387,000 to renovate the space for that purpose.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall chambers.