News + Announcements

Area farm families, businesses, and the general public are invited to attend this free event at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center located at 28097 Goodview Dr., Lanesboro, MN 55949 on February 24th 2022, from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. A light breakfast will be provided, and sessions will run approximately 25 minutes. This year’s schedule includes presentations on Regenerative Ag Practices, Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Emotional Wellness for Agriculture Families, Succession Planning for Agriculture Business, Investment in Specialty Crops, and Financial Risk Management.

“Agriculture is one of the two greatest economic drivers in Fillmore County, and it influences almost every aspect of our daily lives,” says Fillmore County EDA Board Member, Karen Reisner. “Farmers support many businesses in the county, state, and country, and agriculture industry today includes a diverse group of small and large farming operations.”

Agriculture remains the primary economic driver in Fillmore County according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census, conducted every 5 years, counted over 1400 farms in Fillmore County, contributing around $291 million in agricultural products sold. Approximately 32% of all farms represent operations less than 50 acres in size. With more than 375,500 acres dedicated to agriculture in Fillmore County, innovation and process improvements remain a critical part of the continued success of the agriculture industry.

Fillmore County EDA Director Chris Hahn states that “our EDA feels it is important to connect local agriculture businesses and professionals with our farm families in Fillmore County and the neighboring communities” adding that the goal is “really to provide resources for our farm family businesses and offer real-world examples of successful and evolving business practices.”

The 2022 Fillmore County Agriculture Summit is presented by the Fillmore County Economic Development Authority, F&M Community Bank, MiEnergy Cooperative, Dairyland Power Cooperative, and MiBroadband, in association with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA).

This is a free event, but registration is requested to estimate the number of attendees. To register, please go to 2022fillmorecountyagriculturesummit.eventbrite.com.

For more information about the 2022 Fillmore County Agriculture Summit, please contact Chris Hahn, Fillmore County EDA Director at 612-327-9729, or via email at chris.hahn@cedausa.com.

Download the Event flyer

Article by: Tom Nelson

The JEDC, along with CEDA team members, announced plans for an 8,700 sq/ft multi-tenant commercial building in the Jackson Crossroads commercial development park in April 2021. The five-unit development will be located at the crossroads of Interstate 90 and Highway 71. The project will be anchored by the opening of a new Cabin Coffee franchise and Subway, both featuring drive-through services. CEDA team member Tom Nelson, who serves the JEDC and the Jackson EDA, has been a part of this project from conception working to attract outside development to the community by securing anchor tenants and eventually presenting the concept to the JEDC.

JEDC President Scott Reimer says “There wasn’t a lot of investors looking to step up to do a project like this in a smaller community so we took it upon ourselves to hatch this project and contact local business owners to see if we could get something going.” 

Subway was the first to join the project when they expressed a need for an updated location with a drive-through. Cabin Coffee became part of the project when local business owners Donnie and Audree Schoenrock reached out to Nelson about starting a franchise in late 2020. Nelson was able to connect the pair with Brad Barber of Cabin Coffee who has worked with multiple CEDA communities. The Jackson EDA also assisted with the project by providing the Cabin Coffee franchise with $161,000 in gap financing through their revolving loan fund.

“We really wanted to do something in our town or close to it. We love Jackson. And we got introduced to Brad Barber of Cabin Coffee through Tom Nelson who is our Economic Development coordinator.”  said Donnie Schoenrock

Once the JEDC decided to pursue the project, Nelson connected the board with three different construction management companies. The JEDC eventually choose the local firm Tri-State Contracting as their construction manager and started the work of designing the building. The group is very excited about the project and the potential it has to kickstart further development in the community. The goal of the project is to attract development to the community by creating attractive spaces for businesses to located and increase interest in the development park.

Construction on the multi-tenant commercial building location will begin in early July.  The JEDC anticipates an opening date for occupants in early 2021.

CEDA Team Member working with the City of Lewiston EDA, Donna Mack, authored a Winona County SHIP Live Well grant application that awarded the City of Lewiston $3,069 in funding to purchase two powder coated bike fix-it stations with air pumps and pressure gauges. The total cost of the project was over $4,250 with the City covering the balance of the costs.

One of the stations will be placed at Southside Memorial Park and and the other at Lewiston City Hall. Lewiston Monument donated the concrete slabs and foundation for the project. The City completed the project in June.

Both City Hall and Southside Memorial Park, with their new bike fix it stations, not only help promote a healthier lifestyle, but are a quick and easy spots to repair and park bikes for residents and any bike enthusiasts passing through town on their daily, weekly, or monthly rides! 

“The City is very grateful to the Winona County SHIP Live Well program for their assistance in providing Lewiston with the tools to become a healthier, more vibrant place to live!” said Charlie Matzke, Lewiston Economic Development Authority.   

Article by: Cathy Enerson

CEDA team member in Eyota, Cathy Enerson, reports that $514,381 of total investment has been injected into 39 projects in Eyota.  Of this figure, $228,341 represents private investment and $286,040 is from grant dollars.  The grant dollars are from Eyota’s Rochester Sales Tax funds and the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Block Grant funds.   

Building improvements began several years ago using both the Rochester Sales Tax funds for historic downtown façade improvements, and the DEED funds for apartment rehabilitation. Using the combined funding, 11 buildings have received facade improvements and 28 apartment units were rehabbed. 

“The most important outcome”, states Enerson,  “is the fact the community has injected over half a million dollars into needed building improvements without causing apartment rents to have to increase due to the cost of building rehabilitation.   The building owners, renters, and Eyota residents win when existing buildings are improved.”   Through the Eyota EDA, Enerson administers the Historic Downtown Facade Improvement Grant program, and CEDA administers the DEED Small Cities Block Grant program for the City of Eyota, creating a systematic process and timeline for the building rehabilitation.