County-wide EDA session highlights success

A county-wide meeting of the area's Economic Development Authorities (EDAs) looked back over the year at steps various agencies have taken to attract new businesses and to help existing enterprises to thrive.

 

Each county community has an EDA board and the county has one as well. All hold their own meetings and carry out their own programs. On Dec. 17, they held their second joint meeting. About 15 people attended.

 

Patti Schuch, a member of the county EDA, stated she wished there were some sort of pamphlet or flyer that could be made available to area entrepreneurs. “I ask people why they haven’t applied for a low interest loan, and the answer is they didn’t know loans like that are available,” she summarized.

 

County planning and zoning administrator Tina Wilson suggested work might begin on such a publication early in the new year. Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president Mikhail Rostislavovich mentioned the Chamber’s “card racks,” have an open space where the piece could be set out: The card racks are on display in businesses all around the county and offer individual cards which list places to shop, eat, stay and visit. Rostislavovich said there is an open space on the racks which could hold the business support cards once they’re produced.

 

During the meeting, representatives from the various EDAs summarized some of the projects and possibilities they have worked with.

 

Katelyn Kratz from the Janesville EDA mentioned the city’s 2026 “business challenge,” which will ask current or prospective business owners to create and share a plan for either starting or growing a business; one selected business will receive about $20,000, but even those who do not “win” will be offered assistance and access to resources if they wish to follow through on their plan. Kratz mentioned the city is working to get a “business incubator” program up and running as soon as possible. She also briefly described a 2025 “storefront enhancement” event which had eight applicants and six winners. She observed that pairing the summertime “music in the park” events with the every-other-week farmers’ market had worked out well, and the city expects to follow the same practice next year.

 

As a consultant with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) Kratz also works with the city of New Richland. She reported the city is working on enhancements for its city park, and hopes to continue developing the second floor of the former Odd Fellows building; the city’s food shelf is located in part of the structure’s first story.

 

County administrator Michael Johnson shared some information regarding activity by the Waldorf EDA. He mentioned the city is working to acquire state funds for some major reconstruction needed on Second Street and to build a parking lot for the city park. A dedication of the town’s Veterans Park has been scheduled for Aug. 22. Waldorf has experienced 18% growth in 2025; much of the interest in building homes there comes from people who wish to live in a small town while commuting to Mankato for employment.

Johnson also provided information on behalf of the county, mentioning the county is arranging listening sessions with elected representatives at both the state and national levels in the first quarter of 2026.

 

Wilson mentioned the county has taken over the online tours which provide information about historically and socially interesting sites in the county, and that additional tours continue to be developed. The tours can be found online by searching for “explorewasecacounty.gov.”

 

Waseca City Planner John Froke commented that the city of Waseca has been working toward developing child care options for area residents, and that the work will ramp up as the new year begins. He also mentioned that phase one of the city-managed subdivision “Clearwater Preserve” has been platted into lots which have been assigned street addresses. He said the expectation is that lots will be available for sale in 2026. He also stated there seem to be a fair number of new homes in construction in areas of the city. His report also included the Marketplace construction: he said most of the concrete work had been completed prior to the arrival of snow, and that various elements of the work will continue through the winter.

 

Rostislavovich and Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism executive director Robin Dulas stated the organization’s move to 105 22nd Avenue Northeast in Waseca has been very positive, with more visibility and dedicated parking. Rostislavovich highlighted the recent successes of the card racks and the new decorative lighting along the downtown area of State Street. He said the next phase of the beautification project will focus on Trowbridge Park, including finding funds to upgrade the bandstand and make the ice skating area and warming house more appealing and family friendly.

 

As the meeting drew toward a close, county EDA chair Russ Fredrick commented “There are a lot of exciting things happening all over our county. What I have to say is, keep it up!”