Welcome, Dalen!
We are excited to welcome Dalen Roe to the UMVRDC! As the Loan Specialist, Dalen will be managing the Revolving Loan Fund. He brings great experience, and he looks forward to working with the businesses we serve.
Click here to read more about Dalen and find his contact info.
Welcome, New Board Members!
Chad Zimmel joined the UMVRDC board in January. He is a county commissioner representing Big Stone County. Chad has been a resident of Big Stone County for over 20 years. He lives in Graceville where he works full-time for the City of Graceville. Outside of work, Chad is involved with the Graceville Fire Department, Toqua Sportsmans Club, and the Graceville Golf Club. Chad and his wife have two children.
As a representative of Lac qui Parle County Townships, Jann Oellien became a board member of the UMVRDC in February. Jann is a native of the Dawson area. After obtaining her associate and bachelor’s degree, Jann worked for the Stearns County Environmental Office, Dakota County Office of Planning, and as a GIS Specialist in Kentucky. She moved back to Minnesota in 2002 and has been the Hamlin Township Clerk since March 2022. Jann enjoys designing and working on computers.
We are happy to welcome both Chad and Jann and look forward to their contribution to the UMVRDC board!
UMVRDC RLF Invests in Business Growth in Region
Donner Manufacturing Inc. in Clara City recently closed their loan for $300,000 from the UMVRDC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Tyler and Kelsey Donner purchased Tebben Enterprises Inc. and CC Powder Coating LLP. These two businesses will be merged into Donner Manufacturing Inc. but will keep divisions as Tebben Products and CC Powder Coating. The RLF was joined in joint funding by Citizens Alliance Bank.
The UMVRDC RLF is designed to provide gap financing for business and industry starting up or expanding in the five-county region of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine. The primary focus of the program is businesses that will create or retain jobs. The UMVRDC RLF participated in 13 projects over the last fiscal year, assisting with gap financing for business start-ups and expansions needing working capital, inventory, fixed assets, and real estate. Last year, a total of $703,328 in revolving loan funds were lent out and helped generate an additional $3,241,680 in leveraged financing from public and private sources along with owner investments. The UMVRDC RLF has funding available now to support business development in the five-county area.
RLF WebpageUMVRDC Annual Survey Results
In December 2022, the UMVRDC sent out an annual survey to local units of government within the region (Big Stone, Chippewa, Swift, Yellow Medicine, and Lac qui Parle counties) to determine their biggest issues in the upcoming year. The survey had a 17% return rate with 89 respondents. The top ten most important issues that need attention are listed below.
- Planning to Retain and Increase Child Care
- Expose Youth to Local Career Opportunities
- Develop Local Financial Support Solutions for Childcare
- Increase Road/Bridge Funding
- Development of new Rental Housing
- Marketing & Promoting our Community/Area to Attract New Residents, Visitors, and Workforce.
- Development of new Single Family Housing
- Fixing up Commercial/Retail/Industrial Property
- Demolition of Dilapidated Housing
- Fixing up Homes/Apartments
Staff have analyzed the top 10 issues from the survey to determine how they can address these issues in the upcoming year. This list is what drives the UMVRDC’s work plan each year.
More Survey ResultsSuccessful Madison Community Event
More than 120 Madison residents showed up to brainstorm ideas and help shape the future of their community during the Madison Community Event on February 6th, 2023. Thoughts and ideas stemmed from the results of the Madison Community Survey which garnered over 300 responses. UMVRDC staff, along with the City of Madison and the Madison Comprehensive Plan Taskforce, facilitated the meeting.
The meeting was started off by City Manager, Val Halverson, identifying accomplishments since the last community meeting in 2017. Some of these included the creation of the Madison Arts Council, public bathrooms, Little Eagles childcare and much more. During small group activities, attendees discussed Madison’s assets and how they can be promoted as well as challenges and how they can be overcome. Common assets identified were the school, healthcare system, and small-town atmosphere. Common challenges identified were housing, childcare funding, and welcoming diversity. During this activity, there was excellent discussion among neighbors and great ideas that were born. Next, attendees were given a “blank check” and were asked to write down what project/idea/thing they would like to see happen in Madison if money was not an issue. These “checks,” as well as the many comments and conversations, were collected and will be reviewed and considered when the City and UMVRDC staff move forward in updating the Madison Comprehensive Plan.
Community Survey ResultsSmall Group Activity ResultsExplore Minnesota Tourism Conference Highlights
UMVRDC staff attended the Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference virtually on February 28th. The conference featured live presentations on diversity, equity, and inclusion in tourism, why tourism is crucial in Minnesota, and more. Staff also had the chance to learn about funding opportunities, new marketing tools, and tourism’s economic impact in Minnesota and the expectations for the year to come.
EMT Conference PresentationsMnDOT Awards Three Projects in Chippewa County
The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Safe Routes to School, and more.
Congratulations to the communities of Montevideo, Milan, and Granite Falls on their successful award recommendations.
Montevideo will create a safer intersection by installing a high intensity active crosswalk beacon at the intersection of Minnesota Highway 7 and 24th Street where the Ashmore Trail crosses Highway 7. The beacon will stop vehicle traffic only when activated by pedestrians intending to cross. This project is slated for 2025 or 2026.
The Milan Trail was originally constructed in 1976 through support of local, county, and state collaborations. It is one of the oldest trails in Minnesota. Over the years the trail has connected the community of Milan to Lac qui Parle Lake. The reconstruction of this 3.25 mile trail is slated for 2027.
In Granite Falls, the growth for the Highland Park neighborhood has made the Highland Park trail a critical connection for residents in Granite Falls. This trail was originally constructed in 1999 and is slated for reconstruction in 2027.
If your organization or community is interested in a trail or sidewalk infrastructure project, Transportation Alternatives is an annual program. Contact Searle at the UMVRDC to get more information.
Safe Routes to School Boost Grants Application Now Open
Through the Safe Routes to School Boost Grants, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will support communities with existing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans, or other comprehensive SRTS approaches, in advancing non-infrastructure strategies for schools. The strategies should support making it safe, easy, and fun for students to walk and bicycle to school.
More detailed information on eligibility, funding restrictions/requirements, and the grant application materials are available on the MnDOT SRTS Boost webpage. View past Boost awards to get project ideas and cost. Boost grants require no local match and requests may range between $5,000 – $50,000.
Applications are due by 5pm on Wednesday May 17 and must be submitted online. Awardees will be announced in June with funding beginning in September 2023 and ending in June 2025.
Give Feedback on the Future of the Minnesota State Highway System
This interactive tool visualizes the strategic investment of dollars ($31.5 billion) that supports the overall work of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In the future, MnDOT may see an increase in support. Give your feedback on where you believe those dollars could be best invested.
Upcoming Events
April 7: UMVRDC Office Closed for Good Friday Holiday
March 28: UMVRDC Monthly Meeting
Appleton Civic Center | 6:30 p.m.
April 25: UMVRDC Monthly Meeting
Appleton Civic Center | 6:30 p.m.
May 23: UMVRDC Monthly Meeting
Appleton Civic Center | 6:30 p.m.
May 29: UMVRDC Office Closed for Memorial Day Holiday
June 27: UMVRDC Monthly Meeting
Appleton Civic Center | 6:30 p.m.
Save the date: July 25th
UMVRDC 50th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff
Appleton Civic Center | More details to come
