David Piggot

A non-profit economic development group isn’t wasting any time trying to expand business and its membership in Faribault County.

David Piggot, director of Go Minnesota, began his duties in October and already he’s been contacted about property located near Interstate 90.

“Right now it’s in the early stages. I’m looking at putting together financing and incentive packages,” he says.

Companies have been looking at various sites, says Piggot, in Blue Earth and throughout the county.

So far, inquiries have included a hotel group and a restaurant chain considering locations near the interstate.

A party also has shown interest in constructing a professional office building.

“Another business is looking at relocating on land north of the interstate,” says Piggot.

When Go Minnesota was formed earlier this year, an operating budget for its first year was estimated at $200,000.

At that time BEVCOMM, Corn Plus, United Hospital and Wells Concrete each provided $30,000 for two years.

Currently, there are four board of directors, however, under the organization’s bylaws that is expected to increase to nine by the first of the year.

Piggot says the number of businesses joining Go Minnesota has increased in the past month. Membership dues range from $250 to $15,000 and are based on annual gross sales.

“We’ve gone from four to 13, and we’re going to get more,” he says. “It is not a Blue Earth project, it’s a countywide organization.”

Piggot says the new memberships have generated $20,000. The group also is attempting to sign up area communities for contracted services.

Blue Earth and Faribault County officials have each committed $50,000.

Piggot says how much will be spent on marketing hasn’t been determined yet.

Some changes are in store come January.

A research intern will be added to gather demographic and marketing information. Whoever is hired must be a Faribault County resident, a graduate of a high school in the county and attending an area college.

Piggot says someone also has been hired to design the group’s website.