[0:00] payments of $66,541 [0:05] uh primarily legal and insurance fees. >> I'll make a motion. [0:12] » Second. >> A motion from Austin, a second from [0:14] Nick. All in favor? >> I. [0:16] » Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Uh we'll start things out this morning. [0:22] We have a guest from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation here to [0:26] share some things with us. >> All right. Thank you for having me. Uh, [0:31] is it okay if I pass out some folders? >> Absolutely. Awesome. [0:38] » Thank you. >> Thank you. [0:43] » Thank you. >> I still got mine. [0:46] » Okay. [0:53] [clears throat] Okay. Well, um, thank you everyone for [0:58] having me here today. Uh, it's I I consider it a real opportunity. Um, and [1:03] again, thank you for your long-standing partnership with Southern Minnesota [1:06] Initiative Foundation. Um, just a brief introduction. You know, New Prague EDA [1:11] has been a valued Smith supporter since 2003. Um, and has contributed a total of [1:16] $11,000 over that time to Smith. Uh we truly appreciate your commitment to [1:22] strengthening communities and supporting economic development through southern [1:26] Minnesota. Just to give you a refresher who Smith who we are at Smith at [1:30] Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. Um so we are a regional [1:35] development and philanthropic organization serving 20 counties, 175 [1:39] communities, and one native nation across southern Minnesota. Our mission [1:44] is to foster economic development and community vitality uh through [1:48] collaboration, partnerships, investments and uh philanthropy. [1:53] What we do uh so entrepreneurship and economic development, business lending, [1:58] uh startup financing, gap financing, technical assistance, entrepreneur [2:02] support, rural entrepreneurial uh entrepreneurship development, and more. [2:07] Um, also early childhood development, just to kind of give you an idea here, [2:13] um, early care and education grants, early literacy grants, child care [2:17] workforce initiatives, uh, free provider training, uh, community early childhood [2:22] partnerships. And then the last pillar is community vitality, [2:27] um, small town grants, placemaking projects, community beautifification, [2:31] downtown improvements, community leadership development. basically making [2:35] these small towns um across our region places that people uh want to live [2:40] because there's so much value there, but not it's not always easy to maybe see [2:44] that. And so we want to give small towns a fighting chance to to um hold and [2:50] retain um everything that makes a town and a community so wonderful. Um and [2:55] then also philanthropy. So this is uh for example community foundations, [2:59] endowments, donor advised funds, legacy giving, regional grant making, really [3:03] just giving people um a pathway to uh supporting their communities in all the [3:10] diverse ways that they could or want to. Every community has unique needs and so [3:14] for example, our community foundations are there to uh allow communities to [3:18] rally around those needs. So um why Smith partners with EDAS? [3:25] One of the reasons Smith enjoys working with EDA's EDA offices is because we're [3:30] pursuing many of the same outcomes, um, business growth, workforce [3:34] attraction and retention, entrepreneurial support, childcare [3:37] availability, community development, quality of life improvements. [3:42] Um, typically Smith serves as an additional tool in an EDA's um, toolbox. [3:48] So, we help communities connect businesses to capital, identify opport [3:52] grant opportunities, provide technical assistance. You know, we can work with [3:57] uh businesses starting out all the way up to advanced businesses. Um, for [4:01] example, Quickbooks, um, how to keep your taxes organized, pretty much [4:05] everything. Um, so it's pretty cool. We can come alongside a business and help [4:10] them flourish. Um, support entrepreneurs, you know, that's kind of [4:13] the name of the game. strengthen local philanthropy, improve childcare [4:17] capacity, development, community projects. So rather than replacing local [4:21] economic development efforts, we help communities bring additional resources [4:26] and expertise to the table. So kind of diving in here, and I'll be I'll be [4:30] brief. Um, but the Lassour County uh impact since 1986, [4:35] um, $6.9 million has been invested in the Lassour County. 322 grants have been [4:41] awarded, 30 loans provided to support entrepreneurs. Uh 3,370 [4:48] entrepreneurs supported uh 72 children supported through recent initiatives [4:52] within the last three years. Um just to kind of give you an idea, we have around [4:57] 31 develop approved training sessions throughout our region annually. Uh these [5:02] are training sessions that childcare providers or really anyone that works [5:04] with children um in a licensed capacity can come and um not only receive [5:10] accreditation by the state um but learn best practices in terms of how to run [5:14] their business and how to uh best serve our children. Um so, uh to give you kind [5:20] of an idea, um return on investment for every dollar donated from Lassour [5:25] County, approximately $21 has been invested back into Lassour County [5:29] through grants, loans, programming, and technical assistance. So that's the [5:33] power of leveraging local support with state, federal, philanthropic, [5:37] corporate, and private resources as well. Um so again, I kind of already [5:41] mentioned this, but business loans, this is one way that we support economic [5:45] development. uh we provide financing um from starting up all the way to equity [5:49] investments. So um that technical assistance, cash flow planning, loan [5:54] readiness, growth strategies, um you name it. But in fiscal year 2025, Smith [5:59] provided around 35 and a half hours of business technical assistance here in [6:03] Lassour County with an estimated value of around $2,840. [6:08] So, these are businesses here um that are that are benefiting from that again [6:12] because of the partnership that Smith and the EDA have and also others. Um so, [6:17] we're so grateful for that. Entrepreneurship highlights Montgomery [6:21] uh Rev initiative. Smith awarded a $20,000 grant to support Montgomery's [6:25] rural entrepreneurial venture program, REV. Uh the project focuses on business [6:30] outreach, one-on-one entrepreneur visits, identifying barriers to growth. [6:35] Uh this initiative creates stronger local businesses and more informed [6:38] economic development strategies. Uh the promise act [clears throat] the [6:44] promise act grants um recent lassour county recipients included uh $50,000 [6:49] awarded to lassour farming corporation $25,000 awarded to the lawn barber [6:54] service services in lassour um supporting business stability payroll [6:59] retention equipment modernization and business growth. Uh the new Prague [7:04] impact here um early childhood and education. New Prague area schools um [7:08] early learning program Smith invested around $17,000 to support parent [7:13] resource bags, early childhood engagement, school readiness [7:17] initiatives, and uh full day preschool programming for atrisisk students. uh [7:22] New Prague Area Community Foundation. Smith awarded $10,000 early care and [7:26] education grant to support childcare provider resource library provider [7:31] training, parent education, and then community early childhood initiatives. [7:36] Um New Prague Area Early Childhood Initiative received a [7:40] $12,000 grant um again for parent education, educator professional [7:45] development, and um and play-based learning. So, um, and and I can go on [7:50] and on about about this, um, but and it's just so special. Again, it just [7:53] highlights the power of our our kind of our synergistic, um, relationship here. [7:57] It's really great. Um, community vitality impact, the city of New Prague, [8:02] um, smalltown grant. They received $6,631 [8:05] for improvements to Southside Park Disc Golf Course, uh, wayfinding signage, [8:10] park enhancements, uh, visitor experience improvements. also forward [8:15] new Prague Foundation uh small town grant in the total of $9,685 [8:20] for landscaping uh native vegetation trees and shrubs uh outdoor performance [8:25] space improvements things that just make the community a wonderful livable place [8:29] um that kind of enhance it. Community foundations, of course, we do community [8:33] foundations work like I mentioned. I I won't go over everything, but uh we [8:36] support our community foundations. We sort of do all the backend work, the [8:40] legal work, tax stuff like that. uh freeing up the board um of the community [8:45] foundation to focus on what is most important and pressing in their [8:48] community. And so that's really really great. So we supported uh recent support [8:52] in the last three years. Uh for example, this uh in 2025 we supported the new [8:56] Prague Community Foundation at $6,000 around $6,000. So um and of course [9:03] Montgomery, Lassour, Alleion, you know, the they have community foundations as [9:08] well that uh we work with. So, under our Smith umbrella, I should say as well, [9:14] um, child care matters to the economic development. Obviously, parents need a [9:18] place to drop off their kids. Um, of course, and and there's many reasons why [9:22] that matters as well. So, when businesses tell us they struggle to find [9:25] workers, childcare is frequently part of that discussion. Um, so child care [9:29] impacts, workforce participation. Um, there's there's many and I'm sure all of [9:32] you know most of them. So um today childcare is economic development and [9:37] that's why Smith continues investing heavily um in that. So um I can make you [9:43] aware of some upcoming grants. I'll just say one. The small town grant uh is [9:46] actually opening this month. Um typical deadline is in October. Uh who can apply [9:52] would be cities, local governments, nonprofits, and community organiza um [9:56] community organizations. Um this is again beautifification for the [10:00] community, public spaces, downtown improvements. um and so on. So, um with [10:06] all of that, I just want to say thank you for for your time. I hope I went [10:11] over um I was thorough enough. I um your investment helps Smith continue [10:16] supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, communities, um early childhood [10:20] initiatives, and so much more in the Lassour County and southern Minnesota [10:24] area. On behalf of Smith, I specifically ask that the new PRA EDA continue uh its [10:31] support at the same level as last year at the thousand level. Um and again, we [10:35] just gratefully appreciate your partnership and leadership and your [10:38] commitment to creating a stronger future for New Craig. So, thank you. [10:42] » Thanks, Aaron. Any questions, anyone? [10:48] » Appreciate all that you and the organization do in southern Minnesota. [10:51] Great to have you join us and keep us posted. [10:53] » Thank you very much. Thank you, >> honor. [10:57] » Uh, next up on the agenda, Joe, updates on BRNE. [11:04] » We have Do you want me to go to the microphone or [11:07] » Up to you. I'm fine either way. >> We have three um visits since your last [11:12] meeting. Um, the first was at Hi and Austin. Brooke and I were able to attend [11:17] that one. It was interesting because the first time we had visited them was six [11:22] months after they opened. So it been five years since [11:26] um they grew from 13 full-time employees to 30. Um Colton the manager has very [11:32] positive say attitude towards Craig and the area said that customer growth has [11:42] the street improvement project had a slight impact but it was shortterm [11:47] otherwise very [11:53] That's about right. Yeah, good. >> And then the second one was at Heras [11:58] floors and um again another positive one. They are in the downtown. Um their [12:05] building consists of three600 square foot or 4,800 square feet. Right now [12:10] they are still looking at expanding and moving to the side of town and that [12:14] would be an expansion from 4,800 to 14,000 square feet. [12:19] Positive growth for the community. They have four full-time employees and [12:26] they have subs that also assist both this store and the one [12:32] that attended [snorts] comments on that. [12:36] » No, I mean they made the normal comment of parking is [12:39] Yeah, especially on that area downtown [12:50] » No, I think things are generally going well for them. [12:54] They're hoping to make their move sooner than later. [12:57] » Yeah, they got the work for the new building out to bid. We had actually [13:00] approved and had a building permit sitting there and they just never move [13:05] forward to pick it up. So, we got to re-re the permit with the new [13:10] contractors that they may bring on board. [13:13] Sounds like a positive project. [13:16] » Yeah. Continuing to grow, too. I think one of the things I took away from there [13:19] is they're looking at adding some appliance sales and services. So, some [13:23] additional lines of business. So, it's it's good to see them having success [13:28] here locally. >> That's nice. A long-term family [13:33] business. >> Yeah. [13:38] And then we also had a visit at funeral home with a new owner. That was nice [13:46] meeting a new business person to the community. It's himself and then he [13:53] wellated wants to become involved with the [13:56] different organizations. [14:01] This is his first funeral home that he's kind of run, but he has family business. [14:07] » Yeah. Out of Lakeville. [14:12] » Yeah. >> That puts us at 10 for the year and has [14:15] been calling. So, if you have any businesses that really like to go out, [14:20] let me know. And I'll >> All right. [14:27] » Sounds good. Thanks, Joe. [snorts] uh business updates, guys. [14:32] » Yeah, real quickly. So, we did issue uh another new home permit in July. So, up [14:37] to our total of 2025 uh with a total of three, which is again, not a lot. Um, as [14:43] we've talked, we just need more lots. We did uh wrap up last Monday with the city [14:49] council the concept plan review for Harvest Fields development, which is 185 [14:54] lots on um 60 acres. I had a follow-up meeting with them yesterday. They are [14:59] shooting for their plan unit development uh and annexation uh formal applications [15:05] by our October 7th deadline. Uh right now what they need to get done is kind [15:10] of more preliminary design um from grading to the traffic study and um [15:16] they're actively working on both of those right now. And uh yeah, they're [15:20] just trying to get the all the entitlement work done here uh before [15:23] they close on the land obviously and know that they have uh land use approval [15:27] uh to move forward. Uh like with any project, you know, they got to make sure [15:31] that they have um you know, the financial uh stability in the project [15:36] from not only the beginning of the project, but through how long they think [15:39] it would take to phase it, which is about a fiveyear time period, generally [15:43] speaking, um for the 185 lots, all pending market conditions and [15:49] everything. So, uh positive on on that project, at least for now. [15:54] » Ken, well, that that'll be the first one since Eastland, right? [15:58] uh or has >> we've had other plats, you know, under [16:01] 10 lots [snorts] throughout town and replplats and different things, but of [16:06] of substantial size. Yeah, definitely. >> Definitely. [16:09] » Um we did and we've had town home developments, I should say, since [16:12] Eastland as well. But >> um other than that, the uh Chart [16:17] Industries property or not property, the company was acquired by Baker Hughes [16:22] back in July. Um, we have not heard directly from the new ownership, but uh, [16:27] everything I've read is that they continue to uh, operate as they have uh, [16:31] here in New Prague uh, for the time being. I don't know if anybody else has [16:34] heard anything differently um, on the EDA's end, but uh, that was something I [16:40] didn't know that was happening. I don't know if maybe Josh did. No idea. Um, [16:46] other than that, we did get the building permit for Bold North Hemp for the uh, [16:49] cannabis cultivation at the mill property. um just working on some um [16:55] code things with them on that building. And then uh TP Insurance uh is also [17:01] doing some internal alterations to their uh building on Main Street. So it's kind [17:06] of the the bulk of the projects over the past month here that we've had. One note [17:11] to add just just from yesterday actually. So there was a rumor [17:15] circulating around town that the post office is no longer moving. Um the last [17:19] couple days there have been a lot of vehicles over there. We actually did [17:22] send a staff member over and had internal confirmation that uh they are [17:27] working for USPS to renovate that building. So, [17:33] » that was my assumption. I I was going to pop in there yesterday, too, just as I'm [17:36] being our neighbor, but what I noticed yesterday was they had basically pulled [17:40] all the ventilation hoods off the roof. So, I was like, "Okay, they're not [17:45] » it's not going to be a restaurant any longer," which to me kind of [17:49] » Yeah. I mean, it's I mean, our building official was the one that went over and [17:52] took a look because while this uh USPS does not need any permits or okays from [17:59] the city, if for some reason it wasn't USPS doing work, then you would have had [18:03] to put a stop to it. >> So, [18:06] the postal service does not they can just buy a building and start doing [18:10] whatever. No notification to you. No, >> they don't even have to own it. They're [18:14] just leasing it and it's situation. So yeah, they they [18:18] » to the point of they don't even have to follow a lot of laws. Like they have [18:22] parked their vehicles illegally on Main Street and our police officers have just [18:25] been like, "Can you guys please move them? Like we can't make you move them, [18:29] but and they've just no we're good." So yeah, they tr they are truly above every [18:36] law of which we as a city could possibly try to hold up to. [18:39] » Oh, the fed boys. >> Interesting. [18:42] » Oh, you're in the wrong business, man. You need [laughter] to be in the federal [18:45] government. I don't want to dabble with any of that. That's that's dark arts [18:48] over there. >> But but yes, we we had heard a few [18:50] because I mean we because of that they've never formally informed us they [18:54] were going in there. Um we had actually heard rumors. I we got a few phone calls [19:00] from a couple residents. I think even the paper reached out to both of us [19:05] » trying to figure out, hey, we'd heard that they' broken their lease and [19:08] weren't moving anymore and you know more than us then because we know nothing. [19:13] and our boots on the ground just sending the building official in uh kind of [19:18] confirmed that they kind of are ramping up and I think they've almost gutted the [19:22] building. >> Yeah, it's completely gutted at this [19:24] point. >> Yeah, they a day [19:25] » they moved pretty quick because I I was out of town last week but they I think [19:29] it was Thursday and Friday there before I left the week prior saw a couple [19:34] vehicles and then it was just boom. >> Yep. [19:36] » But to that point, Nick, it has caused problems. I know. [19:39] » I can't imagine. Well, they don't have to notify you, do any code reviews, [19:43] everything. Oh, sounds great. >> I was say the problem comes, especially [19:48] when they try to sell or if they're leasing the building. Like, if they're [19:50] no longer in there, >> the building owner is now stuck with a [19:53] building that isn't code compliance. >> They think, well, it's the federal [19:55] government. It's got to be up to snuff. Well, [19:57] » they do. >> So, federal government owns the building [20:00] or they found a private buyer and they lease it. [20:03] » I believe the building is still actually owned by the same owner. [20:07] » It's leased. They typically do 99ear leases. They're just under a long-term [20:10] lease of federal government. >> But the [snorts] new postmaster, you [20:15] know, I don't know how long he's been there. Maybe a year, three quarters a [20:18] year. He did announce it at city club. >> Oh, [laughter] [20:23] » so you missed the official meeting. >> Missed the official meeting. [20:30] » You stood up there and say, I got an announcement. I'm the so and so and we [20:33] are moving to the >> so much shady about this entire thing [20:36] that's going on. It just doesn't feel good. [20:40] Okay, great for our new post office. >> All right. [20:43] » I just hope it still looks like a pizza ranch when they're done. Pull up looking [20:46] for pizza. >> Oh, no. It's drive-thru chicken. Hey, [20:49] [laughter] >> get the drive. [20:52] » God, there you go. Nice. >> That wrap it up, Ken. [20:55] » That does. Yeah. >> Okay. Uh Joe, CDA updates. [21:00] » You clarified new happenings have a lot of different uses. [laughter] [21:05] » That's hard to believe. Well, all the Facebook, so you can go in with the real [21:09] information and no one will believe you. >> Um, CDA updates, we are undertaking our [21:14] strategic plan for the next five years. So, starting today, we'll have a social [21:18] media post with a link to a community survey, happy to send that link out to [21:23] you as well. But if you have input on the direction and focus that our agency [21:28] should have the next few years, get your input. [21:32] And um today we are hosting tax tips for businesses from 11 to 12:30. [21:38] Aaron Anderson from Dems Consulting will be presenting free lunch if you want to [21:43] come. Finally, uh Fastrack Challenge. Our [21:47] applications closed for this year's 10th annual event and we applications from [21:53] four cities. So our board will be [21:57] finalist within the next Great. [22:04] Uh we do not have anyone from the school district with an update today. So that [22:08] moves us along to Josh with the executive report. [22:11] » Uh yeah, just a few general updates of various things going on. Um as you know, [22:17] um CVF Racing has submitted a TIFF application to the city. We continue to [22:22] try to work through that process on our end. Um, of note, I don't know if I [22:26] updated this to you guys before, um, they have also submitted and are running [22:31] through the same process over in Bell Plane at the moment. Um, there are [22:36] between the two cities, our offers are very different, but our assumptions are [22:39] also very different through that. And so, um, we are just trying to present [22:43] the best possible offer that makes sense for us as a city without necessarily [22:50] piffing back money that CVF may not necessarily need for the project. So, we [22:54] continue to work through that process. Hopefully, we'll um come to a [22:58] conclusion. Hope more hoping [clears throat] good than bad sooner [23:01] than later so it doesn't remain open, but we continue to work through that. Um [23:06] did the TIFF application reflect just the parcel that he's considering or was [23:12] it for the entirety of that parcel that's for sale there? [23:20] » Just I think it be just for that building. Yeah, just just for the port [23:23] portion that he is using >> like 12 [snorts] whatever acres. Yeah. [23:27] » Yep. That answer that's >> his plan at this point would be just to [23:30] annex as far as we know that small portion of the property [23:34] » for his property for his building. Yeah. Okay. [23:38] » Uh other notes. Um city center over here. I know we've [23:43] talked about there possibly being trying to use up money over there. I don't [23:47] think we're going to be able to use all the money at this point. We kind of [23:49] heard back yesterday that there are certain things that are eligible to use [23:53] the money for and other things that aren't. And so [23:57] I know dur kind of during our discussions we talked about well uh what [24:02] if the city or EDA kind of opens up kind of business loans, low low interest or [24:08] forgivable loans to businesses to help do improvements? We may actually have [24:11] money to be able to do something like that um and be looking to spend it uh so [24:16] that way we don't have to give it back. So Ken and I will kind of keep looking [24:19] into that as we wrap [clears throat] up that uh city center process. Really now [24:24] at this point I think is we just need to get on a call with Bolton Mink who's [24:27] been helping us through that as to okay they're telling us we're able to use [24:32] 500,000 of it for grading andor storm water improvements. Just how do we get [24:36] that unlocked get that move forward so we'll know exactly how much we'll have [24:40] left then to put into some sort of initial pot or something for business [24:45] loans. But yes, Chuck. [24:49] » No, I was just wondering once we get that done, are we going to market that [24:53] north part of it? >> I think that would kind of be the next [24:55] step of that of now what do we do with the rest of that lot? It might be the [25:00] selling of the rest of that lot is what kind of helps finish off some of those [25:04] sidewalk improvements and park that area. [25:08] » And what's the latest on the last two lots that we sold? Um, as far as [25:13] » Yeah, so yeah, they've been closed on. Um, okay. I don't believe they've [25:17] submitted any building permits for those at this point. They do have a full year [25:20] to get a shovel in the ground, which I believe is May. [25:23] » Yep. >> Next year. So, [25:26] » that's not unheard of. I believe Scott Equipment, it was about [25:29] » nine months after we closed that they finally submitted their stuff. So, [25:33] they're aware and we are certainly willing to work with them however we can [25:36] to make sure >> that those two lots build successfully. [25:44] Uh, that is all I've got unless you guys have other questions about happenings [25:47] around the city. >> About city hall. How's that? The new [25:50] city hall. >> New city hall. Well, if you voted [25:52] yesterday, you would have got to check it out. [25:54] » Um, otherwise, no. We had our first meeting with the uh parking for the [26:00] election. Was it >> uh I think for 98% of the day it was [26:08] good from what I've heard. And Ken can probably speak to it as he was one of [26:11] the head judges. So, if you didn't like how the elections turned out, talk to [26:15] him. Um, I think parking was generally good from what I've heard for most of [26:19] the day, other than there was kind of about probably a 20 minute window where [26:23] you had the >> first crew and second crew change over [26:29] » plus the lunch rush. >> Plus the lunch rush all trying to use [26:32] all that parking at one time. I think it got a little hairy, [26:35] » but there's plenty of street parking around there and I think the street [26:38] parking was able to absorb it. >> Good. So, street parking did what street [26:41] parking was meant to do, and that is >> be parking. [26:45] » So, I think talking to Chief Applin and our other um judges that we think that [26:51] we're going to try to find an alternative location for our judges to [26:55] park because when we had the the changeover, we had nearly 30 cars u [27:00] filling up the north parking lot and >> yeah, there wasn't much place for the [27:05] public then at that point. So, we're going to maybe talk to the hotel. Um [27:09] that's generally not full during the middle of the week, [27:12] » right? >> So see if we can park over there. [27:14] » A pizza ranch. >> Yeah, [laughter] depending on [27:17] » We don't know what's going on there. >> Yeah, for all we know, it's a vacant [27:20] building, so we can just park at Pizza Ranch. [27:24] All right. >> Oh, [27:28] » to answer your question. So, we had our first design meeting here like two weeks [27:32] ago and kind of went over general concept of what the city's looking for [27:36] and uh I believe we're meeting on Monday here again. They were going to kind of [27:40] come back with some few a few options of high levels of okay, this is what we [27:45] could do or this is what we could do. Kind of a few options of that. And I [27:49] think the plan is to go to the city council then and say, "Hey, here are [27:52] kind of some of the options we're looking at [27:55] how would you guys like us to proceed?" And uh and then hopefully there's not [28:00] it's not a ton of work. It's not like we're redesigning the whole building. [28:02] And so I hope I'm I'm hoping by October we certainly got this whole design phase [28:08] wrapped up and they can get the um construction documents drawn up and we [28:13] can kind of figure out how the improvements are happening from there. I [28:16] know they were going to look at stuff so far as the this is the stuff you need to [28:20] do now. This is stuff we'd recommend you doing, but you could wait three, four, [28:23] five years if you want to put some money away so you can take care of it then. [28:32] » All right. Any other items? If not, take a motion to adjurnn. [28:37] » So move second. >> Motion from Nick, second from Troy. All [28:41] in favor? I. >> Thanks all. You