The Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) whisked through its agenda at a meeting held on Wednesday, May 3.

Following a brief review of the EDA’s financials, EDA specialist Jennifer Howard informed the board that a Winnebago housing study – one of the EDA’s top priorities over the past few months – has recently been completed.

The study, which was commissioned from Bolton & Menk, will be presented for the EDA’s approval at its next meeting on June 7. It will be presented to the Winnebago City Council at its meeting on the following Tuesday, June 13.

A date will also be set for an open house to present the housing study to the community.

Howard said the Winnebago housing team plans to develop a condensed summary of the housing study to accompany the original version, which is very lengthy.

“The full one will be hard for the public to absorb,” she explained.

Howard observed the housing study will be a valuable tool for the city to have going forward.

“I think it’s going to help give us leverage to apply for the Impact Fund through Minnesota Housing,” she said. “We now have a document that supports our need for housing.” 

Next, the EDA board discussed organizing the annual Winnebago Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

City administrator Judi Hynes commented that if the EDA intends to hold a Hall of Fame induction this year, nomination forms will need to be distributed to the community soon.

The EDA agreed that the tradition should be continued this year.

“I think recognition is good,” EDA board member Amanda Johnson said.

The EDA decided to set a June 1 deadline for Winnebago Hall of Fame nomination submissions.

At the end of the meeting, the EDA revisited a piece of old business: the logistics behind installing signage for local businesses along Highway 169.

The board would like to install two signs, one at the north end of Winnebago and one at the south end of Winnebago. However, finding a location for the latter sign is challenging as much of the land along the north end of Highway 169 is owned by the county.

Howard brought a rough sketch of a potential sign design for the EDA’s consideration on May 3, which she based upon a sign Claremont has erected at the edge of town.

The EDA board also suggested Winnebago businesses may be willing to pay for spots on the sign, thereby lowering costs to the city for its installation.

“I am a huge fan of this. I think this is fantastic,” said Johnson, who owns Winnebago’s The Buzz Stop. She added she would appreciate the advertising opportunities offered by the sign.

Howard will continue researching signage options before the next EDA meeting on June 7.

In other business, the Winnebago EDA: 

• Learned that Howard will be applying for a Compeer General Use Grant this month for funds which may be used to purchase ADA-compliant push buttons for the doors at City Hall.

• Received a report regarding a Kivi Immigration Law Workshop which was held on April 27. The workshop taught area employers how to hire and retain international students.

Howard said the workshop was very successful, and a second one may be held which teaches employers how to hire international workforce labor.

• Was informed that OPS Clinics will not be moving forward with planned exterior improvements to its Winnebago clinic due to rising supply and labor costs.

OPS Clinics was awarded a $4,432.86 Commercial Exterior Grant from the EDA for the project. OPS will retain $782.86 to offset the cost of signage, but the remaining funds will be returned to the EDA’s Commercial Exterior Grant Fund.