The Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) held its monthly meeting for February on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m.

At the end of the meeting, EDA specialist Jennifer Howard presented an idea which turned out to be a home run.

Howard informed the EDA she had been contacted by the Mankato MoonDogs, an elite amateur baseball team which is a member of the Northwoods League.

The MoonDogs representative informed Howard the team is piloting a program allowing cities in the area to sponsor a special evening for their community at the Mankato MoonDogs stadium.

Participating cities are given the opportunity to select a local individual or group to perform the National Anthem and throw out the first pitch. Cities’ local businesses are also invited to sponsor a section of the stadium’s premium grandstand seats to be reserved for residents.

It would cost $1,000 to sponsor 100 seats, for example. The EDA figured it would just take a $200 sponsorship from five Winnebago businesses to make the evening possible.

“I think you could easily get five businesses to support that,”  EDA board member Melissa Engelby said.

Board member Lee Hodges also suggested, “I think Genesis (Classical Academy) singing the National Anthem would be great.” 

The board unanimously agreed they were interested in pursuing the opportunity, and directed Howard to coordinate with Genesis Classical Academy to select a date in June which might work for the event.

“It’s a great opportunity to get citizens to show up for your town,” Howard observed.

In other business, the Winnebago EDA: 

• Approved Howard to distribute the EDA Quarterly Newsletter which highlights the EDA’s latest news and achievements.

• Received an update from Howard regarding an ongoing Winnebago housing study which is being conducted by Bolton & Menk.

“(Bolton & Menk is) anticipating to be done in late February or early March,” Howard reported. “Then we will get an executive summary from them.” 

• Heard about a Minnesota Housing Partnership workshop which Howard attended with city administrator Judi Hynes last week. Howard said the event was very informative, and gave them several ideas for further developing housing in Winnebago.

“We learned a lot about different possibilities for funding options,” she added.

• Reviewed a draft of a housing team concept paper presented by Howard. She explained it will be shown to prospective developers and funders as a general summary of Winnebago’s goals for future housing development.

• Reviewed ongoing initiatives to support childcare providers in Winnebago and in Faribault County at large.

Howard drew attention to a new Childcare Grant and Forgivable Loan Program which has been launched by the Faribault County EDA.

She also shared that she plans to distribute a survey to childcare providers in Winnebago to assess their needs and availability.

• Discussed the possibility of installing signage along Main Street to attract the attention of passersby on Highway 169.

“We’ve got so many things to highlight, and if you just buzz through town, you’re not going to know they’re here,” observed board member Jean Anderson.

The board agreed to discuss the matter further next month after reviewing the legality of installing signage along the highway.