County-Wide EDA lays foundations

Waseca County has had five active economic development authority (EDA) boards for some time. On June 18, representatives from all five met to share information and investigate ways collaboration could benefit their efforts to promote the county and its communities as viable locations for new or expanding businesses.

 

County planning and zoning administrator Tina Wilson shared that the county is persistently contacted by businesses and builders wanting to know about available locations and resources. These range from land or structures available for sale or rent to whether their anticipated needs for water, power, and employees or employee housing can be met.

 

“If we can’t meet their needs, they move on to call the next city or county,” Wilson described.

 

Wilson shared results from a survey she has been carrying out for the past several months. When it comes to the area’s greatest assets, survey responders have mentioned effective local governments along with a friendly, supportive atmosphere. When asked about shortcomings, the most common responses have to do with limits on infrastructure (including water and sewer), limited availability of housing, and some communities being “risk averse.”

 

Participants indicated through an informal survey that all communities should prioritize expanding housing and upgrading infrastructure; various representatives stated those goals are not new, but economic and social circumstances make it very difficult to move forward with them.

 

Wilson informed the group an initiative named “Minnesota*Star of the North” is being operated by the state department of employment and economic development (DEED), and commented there may be ways to bring state resources into county projects that align with Star of the North priorities–some of which are quite similar to those named locally.

 

Wilson also introduced members to the Location One Information System (LOIS), a statewide database maintained by DEED where available commercial properties can be listed, allowing developers to search by criteria–for example square footage or zoning of the property, what local demographics are like, what agency provides power and water, and price. Wilson mentioned there is no cost to list property, and that most people in the room were eligible to establish an account and post a listing.

 

Wilson mentioned many developers who contact her have already referred to LOIS listings and are seeking more information about sites they have found promising.

 

Based on her knowledge of available properties, Wilson suggested Waseca County EDA members are looking for businesses in a “sweet spot” of hoping to take on between 15 and 200 employees. Because of infrastructure limitations, companies should not be “big water users.” 

 

“We just have to keep fishing,” she observed, pointing out tariffs have developers looking more closely at “reshoring” their production.

 

EDA members indicated a consensus that there is value in holding county-wide EDA sessions; Wilson suggested quarterly gatherings, and said she would send out invitations for another session to be held in October.

 

The gathering was attended by 20 people. Among them were county staff members Wilson, Maame Quarco, and Michael Johnson; county commissioners Brad Krause and Brad Milbrath; Waseca County EDA members Russ Fredrickson and Patti Schuch; Waseca city staff members Jon Froke and Carl Sonnenberg; Waseca mayor Randy Zimmerman; City of Waseca EDA members Ann Staloch, Joyce Thompson, John Fossum, Aaron Casterton,  and Taylor Zinkle; Janesville EDA board members Ivan Maas and Katelynn Kratz; New Richland EDA board member Suzie Abbott; and Waldorf EDA board member Charlie Barnes. Donald Kluender attended on behalf of Freedom Township; Tom Davison on behalf of Blooming Grove Township.