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W’bago EDA plans for Hall of Fame reception

Board also discusses development of incentives for new housing in W’bago

By Fiona Green - Staff Writer | Jul 9, 2023

Winnebago Hall of Fame nominee Norma Schmitt, pictured above, will be honored with a reception on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) Board held a brisk meeting on Wednesday, July 5, at 5 p.m.

The most pressing action item on the agenda was setting the date and time of the annual Winnebago Hall of Fame reception for 2023 nominee Norma Schmitt.

Schmitt was suggested as this year’s Winnebago Hall of Fame inductee by her friend Yvonne Cory.

On her nomination form, Cory explained, “Norma is Norma, with a heart of gold. She just keeps going and going. Her zeal for life is amazing.”

In keeping with tradition, the city will honor Schmitt with a reception and a formal presentation of a plaque documenting her induction into the Winnebago Hall of Fame.

After some discussion and juggling of busy summer schedules, the Winnebago EDA set the date of the Hall of Fame reception for Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m., pending Schmitt’s confirmation that she is available on that date.

The EDA also passed a motion to cover the reception’s expenses, which are expected to include the cost of a cake, a meat and cheese platter, and a plaque commemorating Schmitt’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

At the end of the meeting, discussion circled back to a housing study which the Winnebago EDA recently commissioned from Bolton & Menk.

EDA specialist Jennifer Howard informed the board that she has now presented a condensed version of the study to the public on three separate occasions.

Howard gave the housing study presentation to the Winnebago EDA at its last meeting, on June 7, and presented the study once again to the City Council on June 13.

The Winnebago EDA also scheduled a Community Open House for the purposes of sharing the housing study with the general public on Tuesday, June 20.

“We didn’t have as big of a turn out as we had hoped for,” Howard said. “But, it was the day of the fire.”

Howard was referring to a devastating fire which engulfed Winnebago business Foster Trucking in flames on the afternoon of June 20.

Area fire departments – including personnel from the Blue Earth, Delavan, Easton and Amboy Fire Departments – joined the Winnebago Fire Department, Faribault County Sheriff’s Office and the Winnebago Ambulance Service in fighting the fire until 7:30 p.m. that night, and again at 9:30 p.m. when the fire rekindled.

According to Winnebago fire chief Jesse Haugh, the building was a total loss. However, Howard informed the EDA that the low turnout for the Community Open House meant that Huntley Cafe – the event’s caterer – was able to perform a small act of kindness for the individuals hard at work putting out the fire.

“We had enough food for 100 people, and Huntley Cafe generously donated a portion of that to the firemen during the fire,” Howard said. “So, we were able to feed the firemen. They were very happy to have a warm meal.”

Howard added the development benefited the Winnebago EDA, as well, as the original estimate for the cost of the Community Open House was halved when Huntley Cafe donated some of the food.

Howard feels that though there were fewer attendees at the Community Open House than she had hoped for, the city has still been well-informed, overall, about the results of the housing study.

She added city staff are continuing to examine the housing study’s results to determine the most effective way to boost affordable housing options in Winnebago.

At the forefront of city staff’s efforts is the development of housing incentives, as well as establishing a home rehabilitation program.

For example, Howard said staff are interested in applying for the Minnesota Housing Impact Fund, which offers grants for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes.

“It is very competitive,” Howard said, adding that to qualify for the grant, the city will need to obtain a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) number.

“We need to be certified to be a loan originator,” Howard added.

She said Winnebago city staff are initiating conversations with the Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) about developing a partnership to apply for the grant.

“If we can partner with them – we know what we want in a program,” explained city administrator Judi Hynes. “We think it will look better on our application if we have a partnership and we have all our ducks in a row.”

“That will be our big push over the next couple of months,” Howard agreed.

The next Winnebago EDA meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m.