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Fairmont’s share of industrial park project rises

FAIRMONT — Running infrastructure to the proposed new industrial park off Interstate exit 99 will cost Fairmont more money but keep options wide open for a variety of potential businesses.

The Fairmont Economic Development Authority is ready to apply for a Greater Minnesota Business Development public infrastructure grant, which would pay 50 percent of the project cost for sanitary sewer and water main extensions to the 37-acre industrial property.

Linsey Preuss, Fairmont economic development coordinator, told the City Council on Monday that the cost estimates for the infrastructure had to be recalculated because of an ineligible use of a small portion of land.

“We would have to restrict what would go out there,” she said.

If the small parcel was included in the proposal for grant money, the land’s use would be restricted to manufacturing, technology or research and development, although it is an ideal location for a truck stop to service the many semis that travel by on their way to the local ethanol plants, soybean plant and the city’s existing industrial park.

The city’s share of the $982,000 infrastructure project will be increased from $450,000 to $548,000.

Preuss said the city should find out about the grant money within six months, which would allow the project to be bid for construction in the spring of 2020.

“One of the reasons that property was never developed was because there was no infrastructure there,” said Mike Humpal, city administrator.

In other business, the council approved permits for:

o The annual Fairmont Triathlon and Duathlon. The youth event will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at the Fairmont Aquatic Park, with the triathlon starting with registration from 6-7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Gomsrud Park shelter house.

o A fireworks display permit for July 4 for J & M Displays of Urbandale, Iowa.

o A free community outreach concert and arts event from 5-9 p.m. Friday at Sylvania Park.

o A temporary on-sale liquor license for July 4 for the Fairmont Opera House.

o A temporary on-sale liquor license for Dec. 31 for the Fairmont Opera House.

o A temporary on-sale liquor license for the Ground Up for July 25 at the Martin County Fairgrounds.

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