News + Announcements

Article by: Donna Mack

Thanks to the Twins Fields for Kids, Twins Community Fund, two of the City of Goodview’s ballfields are looking refreshed and ready for players this summer!

CEDA Team Member working with the City of Goodview EDA, Donna Mack, authored a Minnesota Twins Community Fund grant application that was awarded to the City in the amount of $9,600 to help fund dugout covers at both Memorial Park and Goodview City Park. The total cost of the project was over $20,000 with the City and Rite-Way Canvas of Goodview covering the balance of the costs. The City contracted with Rite-Way to do the entire project, which they completed in May of this year. 

The two ballfields with their dugout covers that brightly display the City’s name in red not only adds vibrancy to each field, but a sense of community pride! The covers provide sun, wind, rain, and foul ball protection for all those who use the fields; including local school baseball teams, summer youth leagues, as well as the adults during the City’s annual Goodview Days softball tournament.   

“The City is very grateful to the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and Rite-Way Canvas for their assistance and hard work in making these two City ballfields look amazing. Let’s play ball!” said Dan Matejka, Goodview City Administrator.  

On behalf of CEDA’s board of directors, management staff, and entire team, we would like to extend sincere congratulations to Donna Mack on her retirement. Donna dedicated five years to serving various communities through her role with CEDA. We wish Donna the very best in her retirement, and thank her for her service and dedication!

Article by: Chris Giesen

CEDA supported Jackson County by administering the Jackson County Business Relief Grant Program. Jackson County received $250,000 of funding to implement a business relief grant program through state legislation in response to Executive Order 20-99 and the pandemic.  Businesses that met the following criteria were eligible to receive grant funds:

• Were required to temporarily close or reduce services in November of 2020 under Executive Order 20-99
• Are located in Jackson County
• Have no current tax liens on record with the Secretary of State

The grant was open between January 5th and January 15. Applicants approved for funding were awarded grant funds in February. CEDA team members Chris Giesen, Ron Zeigler, Thomas Nelson, Dan Handberg, and Maddy Schwartz administered and promoted the program. 

Because of the challenges connecting with owners of closed businesses over the phone and email, CEDA also engaged local business owners by visiting their storefronts and meeting with them in person. Handberg and Nelson worked directly with business owners in Jackson County to make them aware of the program and encourage them to apply. This program would not have reached as many applicants without this support. 

The program approved 20 applications for funding. Grant awards to these businesses ranged from $2,209 to $13,963. This program positively impacted businesses as applicants were in industries directly impacted by the November shutdown. 

Many local recipients shared their appreciation for these funds with Jackson County and CEDA staff describing how these funds will make a big difference as they continue to work toward recovery.   “The pandemic has made it challenging to pay our bills and employees, and we don’t want to close permanently. We are so grateful for these funds because they will allow us to continue to operate in Jackson County and let us make the community a nice place to live. ” remarked one of the business owners

Article by: Rebecca Charles

In September of 2020, the Hayfield EDA was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) for the purpose of providing micro-grants of $1,000 or less to help offset the additional costs incurred due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The Healthy Hayfield Supply Reimbursement Program was developed to provide resources necessary to make doing business in the midst of the pandemic safe for all residents and business owners. CEDA Team Member and Hayfield EDA Coordinator, Rebecca Charles authored the grant to provide funding to the program. This grant funding made it possible to provide grant dollars for 11 local businesses!  

Awarded businesses were able to receive reimbursement for personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, signage and other supplies required to safely conduct business in the midst of a global/national/state/local pandemic.  Grants were available to all businesses located within the 55940 zip code.  “Being able to maintain small businesses is getting more and more difficult as the digital world continues to expand” says Charles, “yet it is the hard work and perseverance of these same businesses that keep communities thriving.  We owe them our loyalty and support through the pandemic for all that they do for residents, and to make our communities unique”.

 

Article by: Courtney Bergey Swanson

Since launching the HEN program in late 2019, the need for local foods business support has increased drastically due to COVID-19’s impact on the food systems. “Many small farmers saw unprecedented interest in their local food products at the onset of the pandemic, which led to new growth challenges such as starting e-commerce platforms, finding quality processing facilities, and more,” said CEDA’s HEN coordinator Courtney Bergey Swanson.

Throughout the past year, CEDA’s team members have successfully coached over 35 farmers, assisting these small businesses with pivoting their business model to respond to the pandemic, developing new marketing strategies, and creating direct relationships to consumers. Several free educational programs were held virtually, which are available on our website. 

There are only three spots left in the HEN program, so if you know of a farmer or ag-based business that could use some free assistance, please direct them to the online application or reach out to Courtney Bergey Swanson at courtney.bergey@cedausa.com