As 2021 wanes, many boards of governance are shifting their gaze toward a new year. Winnebago’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) board is no exception.

At a regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 3, at 5 p.m., the Winnebago EDA board devoted much discussion to the prioritization of their goals for 2022.

EDA specialist Angie Stier presented the board with a list of goals from 2021 which could conceivably be carried over into the new year, as well as a list of new ideas to potentially pilot in 2022.

The board worked methodically through Stier’s list, assigning a priority of ‘high,’ ‘medium,’ or ‘low’ to each item, and, in some cases, advising Stier to remove the item entirely.

“It doesn’t have to be final today, but we can at least whittle through it,” Stier clarified.

The EDA board labeled several items as high priority for the new year.

“Support business owners looking to expand operations and make improvements; I’d say that’s pretty high,” Stier noted.

She added, “Support entrepreneurs looking to start or purchase a business; obviously high priority.” 

Other items which will be carried over from the 2021 list as high priority include continuing to investigate options to redevelop or demolish the SuperValu site, researching ADA compliance grants for the pool lift for disabled persons who may want to use the Winnebago swimming pool, continuing to utilize USDA’s Community Facilities Grant Program to lower up-front capital equipment purchases, and supporting United Hospital District in reopening the Winnebago Clinic, if possible.

The board also dedicated serious discussion to the issue of childcare, which they feel is sorely needed in Winnebago.

Stier suggested the board look into ways to utilize Parker Oaks’s north space for a daycare center, and research grants including play equipment and fencing.

“It’s been more noticeable that we have a lot of daycare shortages,” Stier said. “We were offered the opportunity to utilize the north space of Parker Oaks, and I’m open to using it.” 

“I think we need to make that a high priority right now,” board member Doug Hill said.

Stier agreed, adding, “It’s a good space to have a daycare. There’s good grass space, and we could easily get a fence.” 

She concluded, “I’ll put investigative measures on that location as high-priority.” 

Stier also brought a thorough list of creative new ideas to boost Winnebago’s business community, some of which the EDA board expressed great interest in.

“We could partner with Love Winnebago to foster more community pride with events,” Stier suggested.

Hill agreed, saying, “I think priority for that should be high. We’re always looking for ideas.”

The board also assigned high priority to the task of locating doctor, dentist, attorney, and pharmacy services for Winnebago.

“Back in the day, people went to Walmart to get pharmaceuticals, and then they got other stuff there, too. I’d like to see it on the list,” said mayor Scott Robertson. “All of those things are important, but that pharmacy and doctor are most important in my mind.” 

“We have space for an attorney, we have space for a pharmacy, and we have space for a doctor,” Stier noted. “The dentist is a little harder.” 

“I think we should pursue what we can,” Hill reasoned.

Stier plans to hone the 2022 Priority Plan over the next week according to the EDA board’s feedback.

Other business conducted by the EDA included: 

• Awarding an Exterior Commercial Grant to Douglas Krueger, who owns Bass Lake Trading Co. in Winnebago.

Krueger wishes to make several improvements to the property, including cleaning and painting the exterior to enhance curb appeal, and caulking and sealing window frames. He also wishes to make improvements to a flower bed in front of the building.

The estimated cost of the improvement comes to $4,250 according to a bid from A.D. Zuhlsdorf Home Services. The board passed a motion to award Krueger a grant to cover 50 percent of the costs: a total of $2,125.

• Discussing the need to recruit new members for Winnebago’s EDA board, and clarify to local business operators a change in bylaws which widens the pool of eligible board members.

The EDA board is about to have three openings. Scott Lehmann’s position remains unfilled, and Steve Malchow and Brad Wolf have indicated they do not intend to remain on the board when their terms end this year.

Stier shared she has been asking local business owners and management if they would be interested in being on the EDA board while conducting business visits and surveys.

“Many have been unaware of the change in bylaws allowing for business owners and employees who do not live in town the ability to participate,” Stier explained.

She urged current EDA board members, “Please spread the word and invite anyone interested to attend the next EDA meeting.” 

A local business owner, Lee Hodges, was in fact in attendance at Wednesday’s EDA meeting, and expressed interest in joining the board.