This is a preliminary drawing of how the new mural in Winnebago could look. The EDA is suggesting some changes to be made before moving ahead with it.

One year after receiving a Paint the Town grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), the Winnebago Economic Development Authority, at their meeting on April 7, approved a motion to apply for the same grant this year as the city continues to actively revitalize the city’s downtown district.

“Last year a mural was painted on a building so visitors traveling north on U.S. Highway 169 could see it,” Winnebago EDA specialist Angie Stier noted. “If we were to receive the same grant this year, we would have a mural painted on the north side of the Muir Library building so people traveling south through town could see the mural.”

Naseem Shahrivar, who designed and painted the mural last year, has created an initial design for this year’s possible mural featuring Winnebago’s motto, Small Town, Big Heart.

“We expect to know if we will be awarded the grant within the next 30 days,” city administrator Jacob Skluzacek said.

Stier also gave a progress report detailing activities undertaken by the Winnebago EDA.

“We have been working with Greenfield Global on tax abatement while also assisting with employee recruitment projects for this coming summer,” Stier said. “There has been some progress with the reopening of the former Corn Plus plant and there is now talk of the plant opening this fall.”

Other projects undertaken by the EDA include working with Fresh Brewed Fun to bring their project to life.

“Historically, coffee shops can be hard to financially sustain,” Stier commented. “But through business planning, sampling test markets, and location assistance the EDA can help make this idea a reality.”

Stier mentioned she has been working with Miner Auto for the last two months on a succession plan and a purchaser has been found who is working on a loan application.

“I have also been working with a loan applicant who is looking to open a new business in the next two months,” Stier said. “They plan on requesting a small loan to help with their startup expenses.”

She mentioned there are two businesses participating in the One Million Cups program.

“It is a program designed to connect entrepreneurs with resources which will allow them to move their business forward,” Stier commented.

Another area of discussion at the meeting centered on the city’s childcare providers. Lack of daycare availability has been a hot topic around the state as well as Faribault County.

“I conducted a survey of childcare providers who are located in Winnebago,” Stier told the EDA board. “I had four responses. One of the questions asked how many years they intended to keep their business in operation. Two of the businesses said less than five years.”

The possibility of losing two childcare providers caught the attention of the board members.

“We better pay attention to this. If we are going to be adding workers at Greenfield and if other businesses are to expand, we know childcare availability is important,” mayor Scott Robertson said.

The survey also showed the greatest demand for childcare is with infants.

“All four businesses agreed on that point,” Stier pointed out. “I will also mention three of the four providers have a waiting list of families who are looking for childcare services.”

Moving on to other business the EDA approved a commercial exterior building grant application for 24/7 Fitness Inc. The grant will be used to help repair stucco on the west, east and south sides of their building. The total cost of the project is $2,460 and the grant will cover 50 percent of the total amount, or $1,230.

“We need to take care of the buildings we have in this town,” Robertson said in support of awarding the grant.

Board member Jean Anderson agreed.

“The business they are hiring to do the work, Stateline Tuckpointing out of Kiester, has done work on the museum building and done an excellent job,” Anderson noted.

• During the financial reports, Skluzacek pointed out two loans had been paid off in the last month.

• Due to scheduling conflicts, the May EDA meeting has been rescheduled and will now be held on May 10, at 5 p.m.