FAIRMONT– The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) held its monthly meeting on Monday and discussed translation and broadband projects.

The board approved a bid totaling $2,714.46 from Minneapolis-based Latitude Prime for the professional translation for a series of EDA business consulting materials that promote business development into Spanish. These include templates for business and marketing plans, FAQs for entrepreneurs and financial assistance documents. Latitude Prime was one of three contractors that submitted bids to the EDA. While the organization wanted to hire a local firm that could handle the professional translation, it ws unable to locate a group that could do so. The translated documents should be delivered to the EDA by the beginning of August.

These materials will be available on the EDA’s website in addition to being present at a Project 1590 event promoting Hispanic voices which will be held in late August. The EDA will also have an interpreter at the event. The translation and the interpreter are funded by a grant the EDA received from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). The EDA is also considering the possibility of bringing on a Spanish interpreter on retainer who could help the organization consult with potential entrepreneurs who do not speak English.

The EDA approved a $15,000 grant from the city of Ceylon through its broadband partnership program. The grant would help cover the cost of locating the city’s underground utilities ahead of a fiber installation project currently being undertaken by Federated Rural Electrical Association (REA). The broadband project was greenlit last summer and uses federal CARES Act funds disbursed by the state. Locating the city’s underground utilities was a necessary step it needed to undertake before construction could proceed but Ceylon’s small tax income meant it was unable to do so without grant funds. The city formally applied for the funds in May.

In addition, the EDA also approved two grant agreements with Federated REA and Bevcomm after approving their grant applications last month.

Later in the meeting the board voted to approve a recommendation to the county commissioners to approve the construction of a tire store on a lot located on Fairmont County Rd 454. The construction of the development would not require any funds from the county but the property has a covenant attached to it which requires 70 percent of adjacent property owners to approve of any construction before it takes place. Martin County owns four properties adjacent to the lot. Once completed the store could provide 15 to 20 full-time jobs.

In a review of ongoing EDA projects, consultants Amber Patten and Joshua Shuetz said they had created a survey for cities to determine housing needs which could eventually lead to residential developments aimed at reducing the housing shortage in Martin County. Shuetz said he had met with local grocery stores and reached out to T4 Solutions to set up a meeting that would discuss the installation of grocery lockers in rural communities which could simplify grocery delivery. The EDA is also examining possible grant sources that could help pay for festival and event organization training for local leaders. The EDA is currently planning to help up to 10 individuals take the training through the University of Minnesota.

Coordinators also noted two of the EDA’s most recent projects have been completed; the EDA’s new website has been completed and is currently online and Patten attended the Breakfast on the Farm event on May 20. The event attracted nearly 500 attendees.