FAIRMONT– On Tuesday afternoon, a joint meeting was held between the Martin County Commissioners and the Martin County Economic Development Authority Board. The purpose was to hear a proposal from Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) regarding a business consulting proposal.

In April, the Martin County Commissioners moved on recruitment of a full-time economic development coordinator. For the past 15 years the EDA has contracted with a consultant to provide business services to new business startups and existing businesses, as well as general work for the EDA, but the county EDA had been notified that those services would no longer be provided.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Ron Ziegler, CEO of CEDA, provided background information on the organization. He said that they started conversation with Bryan Stading, senior business facilitator/consultant for the Martin County Economic Development Authority, about six months ago.

He also said that CEDA would work with Stading and that he could keep his current position but have more support.

Ziegler said they have contracts with six or seven counties, and cities within different counties, but are able to adapt to whatever structure a community needs.

Ziegler also shared that CEDA contracts with both Faribault County, the city of Blue Earth and the city of Winnebago. He said they also contract with three school districts in Faribault County to provide a workforce coordinator.

“We think it’s an opportune time. We think we provide a cost-effective option and opportunity for small communities. We realize that counties and communities are in budget constraints now and we think we provide a flexible tool for them,” Ziegler said.

County Coordinator Scott Higgins shared that the coordinator position is still out there and that the board needs to decide whether it will like to keep it posted or proceed with CEDA’s proposal.

“We’ve been talking about it for years, about hiring our own EDA director,” said Commissioner Elliot Belgard.

He asked Human Resources Director Leigha Johnson how many have applied for the position since it was posted in April. Johnson said they’ve had three people apply and that none of them have been qualified. Fairmont City Administrator Cathy Reynolds was also present and shared that no one has recently applied for the city’s posted economic development coordinator position, either.

Belgard noted that in addition to Fairmont, the nearby cities of St. James and Windom are also looking for an economic development coordinator.

“There’s not a pool to draw from. That’s why we’re looking at you (CEDA),” Belgard said.

He asked how they would determine what kind of contract the county would need. A rate schedule was provided which shared rates for a variety of scenarios ranging from services one day every other week, which would be $13,790 annually, all the way up to five days per week, which would be $89,640 annually.

Belgard asked how they could be sure that the county would get fair attention and asked what services they would get that would be different than what Stading has been providing.

“In my mind, the opportunities that we can bring that Bryan doesn’t bring right now are additional resources. Bryan has been doing wonderful work but it’s only Bryan,” Ziegler said.

Stading said that conversations between CEDA have progressively gotten deeper. He said they don’t anticipate much changing in regards to the priorities, the people who will be served or the outcome.

Ziegler reiterated that not much would change except faces as there would be additional faces coming in and working from time to time.

“It’s our job to make sure that whoever comes in here has the background and the ability and the training,” Ziegler said.

Commissioner Richard Koons again brought up the fact that both the City of Fairmont and Martin County have been looking for an economic development coordinator and have struggled to get qualified candidates to apply. He asked how CEDA wold be able to find someone for the job.

“I think one of the things that attracts people to our organization is the people behind us. It isn’t like they’re a lone solider going out anywhere. They have the rest of us,” Ziegler said.

He said they look for people who are good communicators and have business principles. He said they also have mentorship programs in place so can get people who may have a marketing background and develop them into economic developers.

Higgins asked how long it would take to get someone on board if the county decides to move forward with the offer. Ziegler said something could be place in weeks.

“So the way it will work from our standpoint is the EDA will have some discussions on this, probably relatively quickly unless Leigha comes and says ‘wow, guess who applied for that job,'” said Belgard.

He said the Commissioners will hold some discussions with the EDA board. The next Martin County EDA meeting will be held on June 6. Belgard said he’s sure more questions will come up in the next few weeks.