The Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) whizzed through a short agenda at a meeting held on Wednesday, May 1.

Discussion turned to baseball when the EDA board reviewed an offer from the Mankato MoonDogs to host a ‘Winnebago Night’ at ISG Field in Mankato.

Similar to an event held last summer, ‘Winnebago Night’ would allow the community to be highlighted at a special, Winnebago-themed MoonDogs game.

“Last year we did the Mankato MoonDogs event and it was very successful,” EDA specialist Jennifer Howard recalled. “This year it would be the same concept.”

In exchange for a $1,000 fee, the city would receive 100 reserved grandstand tickets to distribute to community members.

Like last year, the board agreed that the tickets could be distributed by local business sponsors, who would purchase a set of tickets and receive special advertising at the event in exchange.

Amanda Johnson, a member of the EDA board and owner of The Buzz Stop in Winnebago, was enthusiastic about sponsoring the event again.

“We enjoyed it,” she said. “It was fun giving out the tickets.”

Apart from reserved grandstand tickets, the Winnebago Night package includes the opportunity for local business sponsors to receive a P.A. and videoboard welcome at the event.

The town would also be able to select a community member to throw in the ceremonial first pitch, a local individual or group to perform the national anthem, and a local dance team or band for a pre-game performance.

A little league team from the area would be invited to serve as the evening’s ‘high five’ team, and Winnebago would be featured on the videoboard throughout the game.

Due to the opportunity for business sponsors, Howard clarified that the EDA would not have to invest financially in Winnebago Night.

“The EDA wouldn’t necessarily pay for anything, we would just be spearheading it,” Howard explained.

The EDA voted to proceed with Winnebago Night with the Mankato MoonDogs.

The EDA also agreed to ask students from Genesis Classical Academy if they would be interested in performing the national anthem. The board will coordinate with Genesis to schedule a specific evening for Winnebago Night.

The EDA Board also learned that Howard had submitted two letters of inquiry for Small Communities & Rural Placemaking Grants from the Blandin Foundation.

One inquiry for funds to replenish the EDA’s Commercial/Exterior Building Enhancement Grant Program was declined.

“I think the Blandin Foundation has a set of initiatives every year, and commercial buildings weren’t a part of their initiatives,” Howard commented.

However, the inquiry for funds to establish an owner-occupied home rehabilitation program was accepted.

“After we did our housing study last year, rebuilding homes and improving our housing stock was a big priority for us,” Howard said. “We asked for $150,000 to start a home rehabilitation program, and we were invited to submit a proposal. That proposal is due May 10.”

In other business, the Winnebago EDA:

• Was re-introduced to Dave Schmidt, who will be filling in for Howard while she is on military leave for 13 months, starting in July.

Schmidt, who has been working with CEDA for four years, has spent that time providing services to the community of Jackson.

“A lot of the projects Jennifer has been working on I have familiarity with,” he said. “I don’t plan on changing what she’s doing. This is her ship, and she’ll be coming back to it.”

The EDA also met Bethany Walker, a CEDA employee and Winnebago resident who will be taking over Howard’s duties with the Faribault County EDA while she is on military leave.

• Was informed that city staff have been working with Rainbow Tree Care to develop an emerald ash borer management plan.

“We are working with them to establish our list of trees we can plant, then the city crew is going to look into purchasing the trees based on a list of authorized expenses,” Howard said.

• Learned that the USDA conducted an on-site visit at the Muir Library on April 24 to review the ADA-accessible improvements which the library hopes to receive funding for through a USDA grant.

• Learned that orders have been put in for both a new ambulance and a new firetruck.

• Voted to make an annual donation of $500 to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF).

“They contribute to us quite frequently,” Howard observed.

“It’s a relationship worth maintaining,” board member Doug Hill agreed.

• Was invited to attend the CEDA Annual Meeting, which will be held in Blue Earth on Wednesday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Learned that Winnebago recently hosted a regional meeting for city administrators, EDA professionals and chamber members in Faribault and Martin Counties.

“People came to Winnebago and we talked about economic development strategies and our goals in the future,” Howard said. “We’re going to meet again in June in Fairmont and see what regional collaboration could bring to our area.”