Sandra Sonnicksen, right, shows EDA board member John Herman, left, a catalog of available safety equipment for daycare providers. Sonnicksen has operated her daycare facility out of her home for 37 years.

A program which the Faribault Economic Development Authority put in place just a few weeks ago is already drawing quite a bit of interest from childcare providers in the county.

“We have already had three applications for our childcare grant and forgivable loan program,” EDA specialist Jennifer Howard told County EDA members at their meeting on Feb. 14. “Two of the applicants are from Blue Earth and the third one is from Wells.”

Sandra Sonnicksen, who operates Sonnicksen’s Daycare in Blue Earth, was at the meeting and shared some of the history of her business.

“I’ve operated my business out of my home for 37 years. My normal business hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, I also do some weekend care and provide some overnight care for the children of some police officers.”

Sonnicksen, who applied for the $2,000 grant and the $2,000 forgivable loan, said she plans on getting new outdoor steps, new carpeting and replacing her fire alarms.

She explained how the fire alarms are “connected” so that if one alarm goes off, they all go off.

“You can even get a system that will shake your bed if the fire alarm is activated,” she commented. “The total cost of what I am doing is $8,765,” she noted.

The board approved Sonnicksen’s application along with applications from Joleen’s Daycare in Blue Earth and Little Rebels in Wells.

“Joleen’s is planning on replacing old linoleum in the kitchen, dining room and hallway. She also wants to purchase some outside toys for her daycare,” Howard said. “The total cost of her project is $3,259. She requested the $2,000 grant and a $629 forgivable loan.”

The request from Little Rebels was for the $2,000 grant and $2,000 forgivable loan.

“They operate out of the former funeral home in Wells and are expanding to increase the number of children they can have,” Howard commented. “Their plans include installing a new sprinkler system in the basement to create classroom space. Their total project cost is $35,000. They are hoping to create four new jobs once it is completed.”

The EDA Board also discussed the proposed Spring Job Fair and chose Wednesday, April 26, from 3-6 p.m. as the date and time to hold the fair.

“We can host it at the Blue Earth Ag Center,” EDA specialist Annie Nichols told the members. “There is no cost but we will have to file an event permit with the city and rent tables from the Blue Earth Fire Hall.”

Based on the prior Job Fair’s expenses of $2,148, the board passed a motion to budget $2,200 towards this year’s fair.

The board also took action to update the Faribault County EDA website.

“The website features a directory which was created around 2015 and features 500 businesses,” Nichols explained. “A considerable amount of the data is now outdated and the EDA does receive calls to change the information.”

The board considered two options before deciding to incorporate the directory update with an updated website which will be done by Bevcomm.

“The new website will incorporate a firewall, the ability to upload meeting minutes and agendas and will be in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards for websites,” Nichols shared. “The total cost is $4,335 with a $100 per month maintenance fee.”

Nichols and Howard also presented the EDA Annual Report for 2022.

“In 2021, Faribault County received $2,886,206 from the state of Minnesota to deploy fiber to Bricelyn, Delavan, Elmore and Frost. In 2022, the county partnered with Bevcomm to begin the installation process,” Howard said. “In 2023, the construction process will splice the lines up to the premises and connect to Bevcomm’s fiber network which will significantly increase residents’ access to broadband.”

Howard noted that 17.7 miles of fiber lines were installed which impacted 700 homes and 110 businesses.

“This will help provide a future-proof technology for successful telehealth, telework and school from home capabilities,” Howard concluded.

Also in 2022, the EDA partnered with the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office to provide safety shields and helmets.

“The purchase of the safety equipment will benefit the community as well as the law enforcement agencies of Faribault County,”

Nichols said.

Howard informed the board about an upcoming dinner for Faribault County livestock producers.

“It is being held on Thursday, Feb. 23,” she commented. “The dinner will be highlighting local foods and will be followed by a presentation from GreenSeam director Sam Ziegler. There will also be a candid conversation about the future of veterinary medicine in Faribault County.”