The Winnebago EDA discussed the future of the former Patriot Assisted Living building in Winnebago along with the former SuperValu building.

The Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) board met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. to hear updates from EDA specialist Angie Stier.

Stier first presented a proposal for community engagement services from Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP).

“This centers around the SuperValu building and the Patriot Building,” Stier explained.

She added SWMHP would work with Winnebago to create a community-wide engagement event designed to generate ideas for the future use of both properties.

“The community engagement event would serve as an opportunity to get community members involved in the future of the site with the hopes of raising enough awareness and interest that a new owner could take ownership, and bring the building back to operable condition,” Stier said.

She added the event could also include building -use idea generation, image renderings of possible facades, an open survey for residents to share opinions, and general opportunities to share information.

SWMHP offered several service packages for the EDA’s consideration. The fee for the services depends upon the package which the city is interested in.

For a community engagement event focused on the SuperValu building, SWMHP would charge an hourly rate of $80, not to exceed a total cost of $5,000.

Meanwhile, a community engagement event focused on both the SuperValu building and the Patriot Building would incur an hourly rate of $80, not to exceed a total cost of $6,200.

“At this point, I don’t think we necessarily need something on SuperValu, but it might be helpful to know what the community wants for a facade,” Stier considered.

The EDA board was unsure whether SWMHP’s services are truly needed for the Winnebago community, given their cost.

“A community event might not be worth paying for if we are tearing down (the SuperValu building),” EDA board member Johnathon Hynes said.

Stier added, “As far as paying someone to come here and get a group together to talk about (the sites), I don’t think it’s necessary.” 

She suggested the EDA board or city could simply design an event themselves.

EDA board member Doug Hill was interested in general expertise which SWMHP could provide, however.

“If we could get a summary of some of the things they might suggest in this situation, it might be beneficial,” he said.

“I will have them outline some things they might suggest,” Stier responded, adding she will wait to purchase the community engagement services offered by SWMHP for now.

Stier also updated the EDA board regarding the city’s progress toward demolishing the SuperValu building.

“The completed loan applications were sent on paper with a digital copy to the DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) office,” Stier shared. “Delivery was confirmed, and a response is projected to take six to eight weeks.” 

The EDA board also discussed the future of the Patriot Building at length.

“We’ve talked about the Patriot Building for years,” EDA board member Jean Anderson said. “At this point, it would cost too much to redo.” 

“We had the idea of adding childcare (to the Patriot Building),” Stier explained.

“We could add that to the main level of Parker Oaks (Senior Living Center),” Stier continued, “But Heartland could act as a developer (for the Patriot Building) and we would tell them what we want to build there. We could choose anything we want.” 

Stier brought additional updates regarding Winnebago’s childcare situation for the EDA board’s consideration.

Stier shared a childcare needs summary for June of 2021 has been made public. The data shows a deficit of 408 childcare slots for 2021 in the area. This represents an improvement from 2020’s recorded deficit, which was 500 slots.

However, Winnebago itself has regressed from one available childcare slot in 2020 to a deficit of 10 slots in 2021.

“EDA staff has reached out to all registered in-home daycare providers,” Stier added in her report. “One will be retiring, two have stepped away from the field, leaving two still in operation.” 

Stier pointed out this will create a future deficit of 30 childcare slots in Winnebago.

Stier shared she has reached out to First Children’s Finance, which offers a Minnesota Rural Child Care Innovation program.

The program implements a community engagement process designed to address the challenges of childcare in rural America.

Stier explained the program offers several services, including the development of a community core team to identify needed childcare resources, a thorough analysis of the community’s current childcare gaps and needs, development of a Community Solution Action Plan, and support and business improvement services to existing family childcare providers and centers.

“Fairmont went through this whole process and installed a daycare center in an old folks home,” Stier said.

“Talk with the Fairmont EDA, and see what their involvement was,” Hill suggested.

“At the end of the day, we have to do what is right for the community,” EDA board member Jean Anderson added. “That is childcare. Right now, in-home centers can’t take on the need.”