By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Economic Development Authority (EDA) board met last week for their monthly meeting to discuss development within the city.

Guest speaker, David Heyer of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, was present and spoke about many of the grants, loans and funding possibilities available through the department.

One of the topics Heyer brought up was the infrastructure funding available under their Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program which would provide up to 50 percent of capital costs for public infrastructure including water and wastewater needs, storm sewers, utility extensions and streets.

This grant program was suggested as a possibility down the road as the City of NY Mills develops both the South Side addition, as well as their parcel on the north side of town. This grant is available for publicly-owned property and would minimize the costs associated with hooking up public utilities to new parcels and lots.

Another helpful resource the department has to offer is a few separate site cleanup and redevelopment programs including a revolving loan, contamination cleanup and investigation grant, demolition loan, as well as a redevelopment grant program which can all be used in conjunction with one another. These programs could be used to demolish or clean up blighted buildings, as well as soil and water projects.

Other business for the EDA included a vote for street banners which will be displayed in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Four banner designs have been given and City Clerk Julie Roberts will be reaching out to Civic & Commerce members to see if they would like to purchase their own with their name included on it. The EDA decided to move ahead with purchasing a banner.

The Downtown Matching Grant Program had one application from the NY Mills Trinity Lutheran Preschool which plans to update their front entry, add fencing and update landscaping. The forgivable loan was approved by the loan committee and granted subject to a pending recommendation letter from the church.

Latham Hetland also spoke about the housing study, environmental study, and strategic framework studies which are all in their own processes. These studies will help highlight needs and future opportunities for the City of NY Mills and two out of three will be finishing up soon.

The next meeting of the NY Mills EDA will be on Wednesday, April 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the City Hall Chambers.