JW Accounting received the Blue Earth EDA’s September Business Spotlight Award on Sept. 7. Above, owner Jessica Warehime is pictured, center, with EDA specialist Amy Schaefer and EDA president Lissia Laehn.

In a departure from tradition, the Blue Earth Economic Development Authority (EDA) met on Wednesday morning, Sept. 7, this month.

After approving routine consent items on the agenda, the EDA board proceeded with the first item of new business this month: awarding September’s Business Spotlight Award to JW Accounting, a relatively new business owned by Jessica Warehime.

Warehime, present at the meeting to accept the award, informed the EDA board, “Everything’s been going great. I’m gradually progressing the more that I’m in the area, and gradually taking on some people.” 

The EDA also approved a request from KBEW Radio Station to extend the Aug. 30 completion date for the radio station’s improvement project.

“They have a Commercial Improvement Loan with us,” EDA specialist Amy Schaefer explained. “They won’t be done in the 90 days they were supposed to be done - supply chain issues were the problem.”  

Schaefer then updated the EDA regarding the continued search for a veterinarian to take over Dr. Bob Bogan’s Blue Earth practice, Makotah Veterinary Center.

“We feel like at this point, we need to get some louder, larger voices on board with what is happening. Things are not moving in favor of rural America,” Schaefer informed the EDA, explaining there is a shortage of rural veterinary candidates.

Schaefer shared she and city administrator Mary Kennedy have reached out to GreenSeam, an agriculturally-based nonprofit organization, for a meeting regarding the issue.

“GreenSeam has a large network and contacts within the agricultural industry that will be invaluable as we move forward,” Schaefer noted in a memo to the EDA.

She also plans to touch base with county and regional leaders to ensure they are aware of the issue, such as a county commissioner.

“We feel we need to sound the alarm with some elected officials beyond the city so we don’t find ourselves in a world of hurt,” Schaefer said.

Finally, Schaefer shared that KrackerJak Marketing, a partner of CEDA, is working on a market potential report for Faribault County which the city can use to show prospective veterinarians they can have a healthy financial future in Blue Earth.

“We need the information to prove we can sustain a vet,” Schaefer concluded.

In other business, the Blue Earth EDA:

• Went into a lengthy closed session to discuss land options for a real estate transaction. The EDA made no decisions following the discussion.

• Agreed not to renew its year-long contract with Shrpa, a company designed to market content from local communities.

• Authorized Kennedy and city attorney David Frundt to work with BEISCO to acquire a BEISCO-owned property.