By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met on Wednesday, Jan. 21 to discuss the continuing development within the community.

The revolving loan fund balance sits at $250,234.15 to be used by eligible local businesses.

Board terms were discussed as Adam Johnson’s term was up at the end of 2025. After a call for nominations, Johnson was nominated and reappointed to his position on the EDA board. Officers will remain the same as last year with Betsy Roder as president, Marsha Maki as vice-president, Latham Hetland as treasurer, Bonnie Dykhoff as assistant treasurer, and Caleb Monson as secretary and Adam Johnson and Tim Muehler as board members.

City Clerk Julie Roberts updated the board on the Downtown Revitalization Matching Grant program, which was renewed for 2026 with a new maximum match of $10,000 which was newly approved by the Otter Tail County CDA Board. The rest of the specifics remain the same with funds still going towards exterior updates. More information can be found on the city’s website or in the city offices.

A discussion on funding a Boost Loan Fund was had. Roberts reported that they would not be eligible to fund with a grant as they had looked into before. After discussion by the board, it was decided to fund it with $25,000 from the reserve fund.

The housing study is slated to be finished by the end of February. The ongoing environmental study will hold a meeting with city officials and stakeholders during the first week of February with the goal of setting up the opportunities and possibilities of sustainability projects into the future. The strategic framework surveys will go out during the beginning of February to local community members. All three of these studies are being done for a better understanding of the community’s needs as the most recent studies are now over a decade old.

Roberts updated the board on the South Point addition where she last heard that the apartment building was at 85 percent capacity. She applied for TAP and carbon reduction funding for 2030 and is also looking at several updates to the walking trail portion of the addition. These updates could include solar lighting, paving, and a connection both to the dog park as well as the sidewalk system. Shelters will be completed in the spring with concrete.

Hetland said that SBDC (Small Business Development Center) is now offering two years of follow-up guidance after working with a small business. This is a helpful service offered which helps businesses keep up with reporting, legislative updates, and much more. This information will be added to the information given to new businesses in the future.

Roberts informed the board that all lots in the Country View addition have either been sold or have purchase agreements on them. The board thanked her for her hard work in making that happen.

The next meeting of the EDA Board will be on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Chambers.