Hailie Raimann is pictured above in her office in Wells. She has been working three jobs for the city of Wells – as the Economic Development specialist for the EDA, and as the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) director for the city, and also as the Workforce Development coordinator for USC Schools.

It may not have been the job she dreamed of when she was preparing for life after high school, but spend some time listening to Hallie Raimann talk about the work she is doing in Wells and a person will hear someone who is passionate about improving the community she now calls home.

Raimann is the Economic Development Specialist for the city of Wells. Actually, that is only one of her jobs. She is also the Housing Redevelopment director for the city and the Workforce Development coordinator for the United South Central School District. Add the duties of those three jobs together and Raimann is busy working five days a week.

“When I graduated from New Ulm High School in 2005 I had things all planned out,” Raimann says. “I went to Minnesota State – Mankato to get my chemistry major and biology minor and had planned on going to dental school to be a dentist.”

However, her plans changed.

“I ended up going to South Central College so I could be a medical lab technician,” she comments. “I finished that schooling and then I got pregnant. I ended up staying home to raise my daughter.”

Four years later Raimann, who is now divorced, welcomed her second daughter into the world. Her girls are now 10 and 14 years old.

“Once they were older, I was ready to get a job and I started working for the city of Wells,” Raimann explains. “I have been working for the EDA since 2025.”

Raimann is an employee of CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) and their contract with the city has Raimann fulfilling her EDA duties two days a week.

“We have the Wells Business Park on the north edge of town and we also have the South Industrial Park and part of my job is promoting growth in those places,” Raimann shares. “Another of my duties is working with businesses who may want to take advantage of a Commercial Enhancement Grant which helps businesses improve the exterior of their buildings. We also have a revolving loan fund that we have been very effectively utilizing. Currently, we have four of those loans out.”

When she puts on her HRA hat, she takes on a host of different responsibilities.

“We administer residential rehab grants and manage two properties (Broadway Apartments and Park Place Townhomes). We also own property at City Center, which is the location of the former United South Central School.”

In addition, Raimann also assists businesses who might qualify for a demolition grant.

“I have also been involved with working on a strategic plan for the city,” Raimann notes. “The EDA, HRA and City Council put together a survey to learn what the residents of Wells would like to see in their city in the future.”

Then there is her work with the Workforce Development program.

“I started substitute teaching when my youngest daughter was in Kindergarten and that gave me exposure to the Workforce program. I love working with the kids by connecting them to the community and increasing their awareness of the opportunities that exist right in their area,” Raimann says with a smile. “It is exciting to show the kids what is available and have them attend career fairs.”

She states that students have many opportunities to learn about future employment possibilities and she wants to be sure they take advantage of those opportunities.

“I think it is important to visit with the kids about what their interests are,” Raimann remarks. “Then I can encourage them to job shadow. The school allows time for students to job shadow so I really push them to take advantage of that to further their career exploration.”

Although it is not required by any of her jobs, she has become a regular attendee at the Wells City Council meetings.

“Everything ties together and it keeps me up to date on what is going on in the community,” Raimann explains. “I’ve come to realize how important my position with the EDA and HRA is.”

She shares she has also come to realize that the city of Wells already has a lot going for it and she tries to focus on those positives.

“Other cities our size are trying to get businesses and amenities that we already have,” Raimann says. “We have a golf course, pool, grocery store, hardware store, coffee shop, movie theater, restaurants, a dental clinic and a health clinic. Many towns our size do not have all of those things.”

She points out there are other items that make the city of Wells something special.

“Look at the volunteers who make up the Wells Fire Department and the Wells Ambulance,” she points out. “That says something very positive about our community.”

For someone who was not born in the area, Raimann has become quite an advocate for the community.

“I really enjoy being able to work between the school, the city and the community,” Raimann concludes. “It has been a wonderful opportunity for me.”