ACE making progress
You hear people talk about it all the time: How can the Fairmont area get those born and raised here to come home after their post-secondary education? After years of talk, several groups are taking action.
The second annual ACE career fair was held this week at Fairmont Area High School. Seven school districts sent students to meet with college and local business representatives. The event has grown substantially in just two years.
Kudos to sponsors, including the state Department of Employment and Economic Development; Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce; Fairmont Economic Development Authority; Martin County IGNITE; Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation; iSeek; and Fairmont Area Schools.
A good start on problem
Blue Earth Area school board members are not having much fun these days as they contemplate cutting nearly $800,000 from the budget. However, Superintendent Dale Brandsoy has given the board a plan that will eliminate about $550,000 in spending, giving the district a good head start on tackling the problem.
We believe Brandsoy's plan is sound, and remarkable in that it does not target any programs the district currently offers. With declining enrollment, Brandsoy rightly notes that there will be a natural shift in employment. Savings will come from staff retirements and first-year contracts.
Less it owns, the better
Martin County commissioners were right this week to be concerned about the Department of Natural Resources takeover of 160 acres in the western part of the county. The acreage will be used to expand Four Corners State Wildlife Management Area.
The state is buying the land for $700,000 with your tax dollars. Questions about lost tax revenue and DNR maintenance of the land were raised this week. While it seems the DNR has calmed fears for now, its performance in the long run remains to be seen.
The DNR now owns more than 3,000 acres in the county. That is not a vast amount, and as long as things stay that way, we believe the county is better off.