W’bago EDA talks new survey program; JM property
The Winnebago Economic Development Authority had a short agenda on Wednesday, Feb. 7. However, the board brought up a few miscellaneous matters for discussion, as well.
A late addition to the agenda concerned an opportunity offered by the Southeast Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.
“It is a partnership of 16 counties in our region,” EDA specialist Jennifer Howard explained. “They work with the University of Minnesota and they do a lot with the University of Minnesota Extension. Lots of technical assistance and surveys.”
Howard said Southeast Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership board member Bruce McKendry had contacted her that morning. He inquired if Winnebago would be interested in participating in the partnership’s Empowering Small Communities Survey.
“(McKendry) had an idea of creating a survey of about 40 cities…in the hopes that the University of Minnesota would compile all this data and create a strategic plan,” Howard explained.
She said the University of Minnesota would put in the time to compile the data, and McKendry would provide a majority of the effort and time required for Winnebago to participate in the survey.
“He seems really passionate about the idea,” Howard noted.
She added the end product might be a valuable asset to Winnebago for grant applications.
“I think it wouldn’t hurt to have another resource in our tool box,” Howard reasoned.
She requested the EDA’s permission to participate in the survey, as the application is due on Feb. 14.
“If you think this is going to be beneficial going forward, and you don’t have to spend a lot of your time, and it won’t cost us anything, I don’t see any reason for us not to participate,” EDA board member Jean Anderson replied.
Howard also updated the EDA on the status of the former JM Building, located along Highway 169 on the south end of Winnebago.
In early November of last year, the EDA had learned that the former owner of the property, which has sat vacant for roughly two decades, was willing to put it up for sale.
“There’s been some interest,” Howard told the EDA. “(The owner) is taking reasonable offers – there has not been a price listed.”
However, she observed that, according to Beacon, the property has been appraised at $750,000.
The EDA discussed possible uses for the building. The board also requested a tour of the premises, which Howard will inquire into setting up.
Additionally, the EDA continued its discussion about pharmaceutical services offered in Winnebago.
Howard said she has met with Heidi Stevermer, owner of Heartland Healthcare, and learned that the clinic offers pharmaceutical services.
“You don’t have to be seen by her to get your prescription filled by her,” Howard reported. “If you bring her the paper copy of your prescription and if she has it on hand, she can fill your prescription.”
She added, “If it is a specialty item, she can order it and get it in a few days.”
Howard said Heartland Healthcare is also able to perform price comparison on prescriptions.
“It’s possible she can get them at a cheaper price than a different pharmacy would,” Howard explained. “It is a pretty good service that she has that is probably under-exposed.”
Additionally, Howard researched whether Winnebago could receive telepharmacy services after the EDA expressed interest in the possibility last January.
She said Winnebago is unable to offer telepharmacy services due to the proximity of Blue Earth, which does have a brick-and-mortar pharmacy.
“One of the requirements to have (telepharmacy) is that you can’t have a pharmacy within 20 miles,” Howard explained.
In other business, the Winnebago EDA:
• Swore in EDA members Doug Hill and Melissa Engelby, both of whom have agreed to serve on the board for another term.
• Learned that Winnebago will no longer be partnering with Blue Earth to apply for the First Children’s Finance Rural Child Care Innovation Program.
“Myself and Blue Earth decided not to move forward with the application because they needed 14 people to commit to quite a bit of meetings and events,” Howard said. “Everybody’s so busy. Trying to get enough people to commit to doing it didn’t seem to work.”
She added, “We want to do something about childcare, so maybe we can do a meeting or open house to recommend resources, and bring people in on a smaller scale.”
• Agreed to offer Lucky Lanes the February Business Spotlight Award.
• Was informed that staff are working with Rainbow Tree Care to create an emerald ash borer management plan.
The initiative is being funded by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Releaf Grant.
• Learned that Howard is working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide documentation for several grant applications which are in progress.
The city hopes to use the funds to finance ADA-compliant updates at the Muir Library and a fire truck.
• Learned that Howard will be meeting with a representative from Federal Home Loan Bank to learn more about their Affordable Housing Program Grant.
“I’m starting initial talks to see if it’s feasible for Winnebago,” Howard explained.