BE EDA discusses Producer Meeting impact
Finding a veterinarian still at forefront of the EDA board’s goals
The Blue Earth Economic Development Authority (EDA) Board met for its regular meeting on Thursday, April 13.
Following a recent initiative to connect with local producers who may be affected by a pending shortage of veterinary services, EDA specialist Amy Schaefer updated the board about next steps to address the issue.
For some time now, the EDA and city have been seeking a replacement for local veterinarian Bob Bogan, who hopes to find a successor for his clinic, Makotah Veterinary Center, before he retires.
Upon realizing that there is a shortage of veterinary students choosing to enter large animal practice, Schaefer and city administrator Mary Kennedy understood there is a real possibility a successor to his clinic may not be found.
They also expect a shortage of local veterinary care will have significant implications for area producers who rely on Dr. Bogan to provide healthcare for their livestock.
To assess area producers’ needs for veterinary care, Schaefer and Kennedy organized a Producer Meeting – jointly sponsored by the Blue Earth EDA and Faribault County EDA – on March 9.
After a meal of locally sourced and prepared foods, the evening concluded with a discussion during which producers could voice their concerns and needs going forward.
“It was very well attended. We got a lot of information,” Schaefer said, adding that moving forward, many of the producers’ needs will have to be addressed by the county.
Schaefer also presented the EDA with data from a survey which was distributed to the producers.
The survey revealed that 66.7 percent of the producers surveyed do not have a back-up veterinarian if Dr. Bogan were to retire without a successor. However, 81 percent are willing to travel within Faribault County, or roughly one hour, for services.
“Vets are becoming less and less interested in traveling around the county to service clients,” Schaefer observed. She said the survey data shows clients are willing to haul their animals to a veterinarian, however.
Schaefer said that 37.5 percent of the producers are receiving a personal visit from Dr. Bogan two or three times per year, and 43.8 percent are receiving a visit four or five times per year.
“That is significant,” she observed.
According to the survey data, when asked what they would do if Makotah Veterinary Clinic no longer provided services, “Most (producers) stated they did not know what they would do. Several said look for a surrounding vet. A few said they may have to sell their animals.”
Schaefer reported several producers are willing to significantly increase what they pay for veterinary services and mileage if that becomes necessary to attract a veterinarian to the area.
She added in a recent conversation with a young vet, he said affordable housing, student loan repayment, a guaranteed salary of $150,000 per year and mentorship by an experienced veterinarian are qualities he seeks in a position.
“Those are not easy-to-accomplish items, but they are not impossible,” Schaefer said. “I do hope the producers will move forward developing some sort of student loan repayment program.”
Schaefer intends to mail a letter out to area producers and Makotah Veterinary Center large animal clients summarizing the findings from the Producer Meeting, along with the survey results. She also plans to continue pursuing initiatives to attract a vet to Blue Earth.
For example, she shared Makotah Veterinary Center has been enrolled in a Rural Business Innovation Lab sponsored by CEDA and Compeer Financial, which is designed to provide support for rural businesses through peer networking, assistance with access to capital and applying for grants, and establishing a robust business plan.
Schaefer has also applied to enroll Makotah Veterinary Center in RedTire, a program through the University of Kansas which matches qualified alumni from any college or university with business owners who are ready to retire.
In other business, the Blue Earth EDA:
• Approved contributing $125 toward a presentation by Kivu Immigration Law. The Winnebago EDA will also contribute $125 toward the presentation to fund its total cost of $250.
The April 27 workshop will be offered for free to local businesses, and will teach them how to recruit, hire and utilize international students in their businesses.
• Learned about a program which is being piloted by Gustavus Adolphus College and St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center to bring Gustavus Adolphus students interested in healthcare to St. Luke’s, where they can live on-site for the summer to work and earn their CNA certification.
• Approved an In-Home Provider Grant Forgivable Loan Application from Mavis Scheid, who intends to install a bathroom on the main floor of her home, which she uses to provide daycare services.
The project’s total estimated cost is $22,261.15, $5,000 of which will be funded through the EDA’s In-Home Provider Grant Program.
• Approved a Training Reimbursement Forgivable Loan request from Brandon Sahr, of Thrivent. He will use the EDA’s $450 contribution to help fund a three-credit course he is taking to earn a Certified Financial Planner certification.
• Approved Schaefer’s request to attend the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference on June 20-23, for a total cost of $225.
• Voted not to waive the statutory tort liability limits for the EDA.