The Faribault County Register was named as this month’s Faribault County EDA Business Spotlight recipient. EDA specialist Jennifer Howard (left) and EDA president John Herman (right) present Lori Nauman, publisher/general manager, with a certificate of appreciation.

The Faribault County Economic Development Authority (EDA) gave their final approval of the Faribault County Child Care Grant and Forgivable Loan Program they have been working on for the past several months.

“Loans up to $4,000 will be considered,” EDA specialist Jennifer Howard explained. “The first $2,000 will be considered a grant and loans over $2,000 will require a 50 percent match. Loans can be amortized for one year with a zero percent interest rate.”

Only licensed childcare providers located in Faribault County are eligible for the loan and they must provide full-time childcare services.

“Anyone interested in the program or needing more information should contact the County EDA office at 507-526-6275,” Howard said.

Bevcomm president Bill Eckles attended the meeting and told EDA members Bevcomm is in the process of applying for another broadband grant.

“This grant will cover more parts of Faribault County and a small portion of Waseca County,” Eckles said. “It is a competitive process which is scored on a points system. Local government support is one of the ways we attain more points. I am asking you to consider supporting us with a $5,000 grant.”

Eckles provided some more information on the number of homes which would be covered if Bevcomm receives the grant.

“It will serve a total of 1,017 homes and farms,” Eckles explained. “Of that total, 821 are in Faribault County. The estimated cost of the project is between $10.2 million and $11.2 million.”

Eckles noted the deadline for the application is March 3, and the awards will be announced this summer.

The board voted to support the project with a $5,000 grant.

January’s Faribault County EDA Business Spotlight was awarded to the Faribault County Register.

Register publisher/general manager Lori Nauman was at the meeting to accept the award.

“I want to thank you for this,” she said. “Our staff really appreciates being recognized.” “The Faribault County Register has been publishing a newspaper for more than 150 years. We are also proud to be the official newspaper for Faribault County and the city of Blue Earth”, says Nauman.

“We are a weekly newspaper with a staff of eight. In addition to our regular issues, we publish many special sections and magazines throughout the year.”

Asked how the newspaper business was going, Nauman replied, “Weeklies are going strong but many daily newspapers are struggling. We provide local content, whether its covering the county board, city councils, school boards or sporting events.”

EDA member Tim Hynes said the question asked in his house every Saturday morning is, “Did anyone go and pick up a copy of the Register yet? It is part of what we do every week.”

Amy Schaefer of the Blue Earth EDA was at the meeting to share information on the search for a veterinarian to take over the Makotah Veterinary Center.

“The reality is there is a shortage of mixed animal veterinarians and it is affecting rural communities all over the country,” Schaefer noted. “Out of the 105 veterinary students at Iowa State University who will graduate this spring, only 30 percent are large animal vets, and many of those students are from other states who will return to their home states to practice. It reduces the pool.”

And, that is just part of the problem.

“The colleges are teaching them how to be vets,” Schaefer commented. “But, they are not teaching them how to run a business.”

In order to reach out to producers and survey their needs, Schaefer had a proposal to hold a banquet for the approximately 58 livestock producers residing in Faribault County.

“We estimate the cost to be no higher than $3,000 and the Blue Earth EDA is willing to contribute $1,500,” Schaefer said.

EDA member John Herman spoke in favor of the county EDA also putting $1,500 towards the banquet.

“This issue has reached the county,” Herman stated. “This vet shortage could have a big impact on our area.”

The EDA board approved spending up to $1,500 for the banquet.

EDA specialist Annie Nichols announced that Nicole Rosberg had paid off the Courier Sentinel loan to the EDA.

“The remaining balance was $1,247.20,” Nichols said. “However, the auditor’s office realized the balance had been incorrect because of a new amortization schedule which was made in 2019. So there is actually a remaining balance of $164.96 and I would like you to consider writing off the rest of the loan.”

The board agreed and decided to write off the remaining balance.

An election of officers was held with John Herman reelected to serve as president and Lars Bierly as vice president. David Roper was elected to serve as the secretary/treasurer.

A special meeting will be held on Feb. 14, at a time and location to be determined.