Zoa Heckman

Two days after Faribault County’s EDA funding for 2010 was cut to zero, its director was told her job will be ending soon.

Zoa Heckman was given a 60-day notice on Thursday. Her last day officially will be Jan. 31.

Despite having more than $110,000 in reserves, EDA board chairman Ann Schuster says it was time to do the inevitable.

“I think we need to start liquidation. Shutting down our office, turning off our phone and Internet,” says Schuster.

Heckman, who started in May, says she was not surprised with the board’s decision and her plans for the future are “very, very loose” at the present time.“I’m fine. I knew it was coming. The important thing is to keep an eye on the economic development in the county,” she says. “This isn’t about employing Zoa or Doug (Uhrhammer).”

EDA board member Rob Nelson says Heckman did a good job in the short time she was employed.

“Her termination has no impact on her job performance and it was due to funding,” he says.

Of the remaining cash reserves, $50,000 will be placed in the EDA’s revolving loan fund and $44,000 in the Small Cities Development Grant fund.

The EDA board will close its office at the Ag Center building at the end of the year.

All of the office equipment will be turned over to County Auditor/Treasurer John Thompson.

If any of the items are sold, the money will be returned to the EDA.