The Blue Earth Economic Development Authority (EDA) whizzed through a short agenda at its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10.

Since it is that time of year, the board devoted some discussion to the EDA’s 2024 Budget. Talk focused on the Ag Center, which is a large source of revenue for the EDA.

City administrator Mary Kennedy shared Ag Center maintenance manager Devin Greenside has requested the EDA look into new flooring for the common areas in the Ag Center, which are either tiled or carpeted. The replacement material would most likely be vinyl flooring.

“That would be an expense, but it would be a significant upgrade,” Kennedy reasoned.

The board also discussed methods for creating additional office space in the Ag Center, which is at capacity.

“There is potential in the basement for more office space,” Kennedy informed the board. She said Greenside’s office could also be relocated to EDA specialist Amy Schaefer’s current office, which would create an additional office space in the basement.

There is an empty office at City Hall which could be occupied by Schaefer.

The EDA also discussed the potential of the former Center for Specialty Care suite. The space is vacant, but it still contains a large amount of equipment that the EDA is currently unable to dispose of.

Kennedy suggested the space, which is large, would do best if it were converted into several smaller spaces.

The EDA agreed to continue considering options for the Ag Center, and Kennedy advised the board to contact Schaefer or Greenside if they would like to tour the Ag Center.

In other business, the Blue Earth EDA: 

• Approved a Loan Guarantee Application from Andrew Sickler, owner of HeavyLite Trailers LLC.

The application approves a $55,000 guarantee in the business’s line of credit at First Bank Blue Earth.

“The loan committee met and went through the paperwork, and recommended we approve the loan guarantee,” Schaefer said. “The bank will do all the work, we just guarantee the money.” 

• Agreed to offer Rize Nutrition owner/operator Nicki Roof the option of renting a kitchenette space in the Ag Center for the operation of her business.

• Approved Schaefer’s request to attend the ninth annual Entrepreneurial Bridge event on Sept. 26, at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea.

The event, hosted by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in partnership with the Albert Lea EDA, is one of the region’s largest gatherings of rural innovators and entrepreneurs.