On Tuesday, May 17, the Faribault County EDA presented May’s Business Spotlight Award to Blue Earth Custom Embroidery, owned by Amy Beebe. Above, she accepts the award from EDA chair, John Herman.

Blue Earth Custom Embroidery was the recipient of the May Business Spotlight Award presented by the Faribault County Economic Development Authority (EDA) when they met on Tuesday, May 17.

Amy Beebe purchased the business in 2019 from original owners, Brenda Mensing and her daughter Emily Hanson.

Beebe already operated a business, Garage Ink, which was located in Mapleton.

“I had been looking to expand my business,” she said upon moving to her new location. “I had checked out some places in Mapleton when I learned Brenda was interested in selling.”

Beebe says the purchase of the business, located at 113 South Main Street in Blue Earth, has worked out very well.

“I have a showroom where customers can browse through the items we offer for sale,” she notes. “And, I also have a nice work area in the back of the store.”

During the meeting, the EDA also spent time reviewing the current loan application fee.

Currently, there is a $50 fee which is to be submitted with each application to cover costs associated with processing a credit check.

“I look at it this way,” board member Bill Groskreutz said. “It is not the responsibility of the county to pay for the loan application.”

The board looked at three recommendations before deciding to adopt a fee of $100. In addition to covering the credit check, the money, if the loan is approved, would also go towards the applicant’s legal fees.

EDA specialist Annie Nichols gave an update on the Small Cities Broadband Grant.

“We should receive final clearance by May 31,” Nichols commented. “Construction work is slated to begin mid-June.”

Nichols then informed board members the EDA has administrative funds from the broadband grant that will reimburse the regular CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) fees.

“This will free up funding that was budgeted for the CEDA fees, and leave a surplus if the amount is continued to be budgeted,” Nichols shared. “The total administrative fee is $332,000. The county could decide not to levy the CEDA fees for 2023, but since it would just be for one year, the money could continue to be levied and result in a surplus which could be used to fund an EDA program. This way the county benefits from the broadband grant, and from the surplus of funds.”

Nichols presented three possible options for making use of the funds. They included offering a new housing incentive, a business innovation grant or offering a childcare grant.

“These are things to think about but nothing needs to be decided until later,” Nichols added.

EDA specialist Jennifer Howard told board members the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department has made outstanding progress in their efforts to secure funding for safety equipment for the Sheriff’s Department as well as the cities of Blue Earth, Minnesota Lake, Wells and Winnebago.

“The overall cost of the project is projected to be around $30,000,” Howard explained. “Through donations from the John Huisman Family Fund, the Blue Earth Community Foundation, Cannon Valley Communication, American Legion Post 82 and the Kiester Fire Department they had raised $23,999. Now, I was just informed the Faribault County VFW just donated $5,300, so they have almost reached their goal.”

Howard also had some news regarding the grocery store situation in Kiester.

“The Kiester Market was selected as a recipient of a Fiscal Year 2022 Good Food Access Program Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant,” she commented. “The amount of the grant is $15,000 and will be used to prioritize making healthy grab and go items available through the purchase of a cooled display case and a heated display warmer.”

It was not the only good news the Kiester Market has received.

“A benefactor has stepped forward and is donating $1,000 per month to go towards the electric bill at the store,” Howard told the board.

There was also an announcement made concerning two upcoming CEDA events. The first one will be at 5:30 p.m., on May 25, at the Blue Earth Ag Center and will be on website development and maintenance training. The second event will cover succession planning and will take place at the Winnebago Municipal Center on June 13, at 8 a.m.

Lastly, Howard mentioned the EDA is researching a grant opportunity with Compeer to provide Internet hot spots for the cities of Bricelyn, Easton, Elmore and Minnesota Lake.