FAIRMONT– On Monday the Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA) talked about engaging with a new consulting firm, Site Location Partnership, to help find businesses interested in coming to Fairmont.

Economic Development Coordinator, Ned Koppen, said that while they were previously using a different firm to aid with this, he wasn’t very excited about the results so began looking for a different firm and has had several meetings with Site Location Partnership.

“They are a direct marketing company for EDA firms like ours,” Koppen said. “They’ve got a number of different levels and I am interested in engaging with them on the premium program, which is $13,700 over the next 12 months.”

He further explained that the firm will reach out and network and target specific industries for Fairmont.

Board Member Brian Roggow asked questions about how the two firms vary from each other. Koppen said the former firm watched website traffic and then would reach out to prospects but that Koppen only got one poor lead from it.

“These guys, through direct phone calls, emails, etc. they will help them specify what kind of business categories and industries we want to pursue,” Koppen said.

Board Member Jon Omvig asked what some of the base industries are. It was the first meeting that Omvig attended as he replaced Aaron Speltz who recently resigned from the board due to work relocation.

“Ag is the top. Food production. I don’t think it’s that hard to narrow down what might be attractive to us,” Koppen said.

Council Liaison Britney Kawecki said she thought ag was too vague as there are so many avenues to it. However, Koppen said if a scope is narrowed too much it would limit what kind of businesses and industries can be reached out to.

“I would prefer they cast a wide net so we’re touching as many options as possible. That’s my opinion,” Koppen said.

After some more discussion, the motion to engage with Site Local Partnership passed.

Moving to other matters, the board again discussed the 2025 FEDA strategic plan. At the last meeting some members had asked Koppen to come up with a list of priorities to bring to the board.

Some of the priorities he came up with include housing development, childcare creation and support, business recruitment and retention, generate funding and properties and sites.

On Monday Board Member Sarah Gerhard said she thought some of the priorities listed were too vague. Omvig said that he thought it was a good start but that each of them could be flushed out more.

“I agree. I’d like to see it more defined so that we can narrow in and focus on things specifically,” Kawecki said.

After some discussion Koppen asked the board if it was interested in setting a work session to further discuss about the plan.

Omvig asked Community Development Director, Pat Oman, if there was a group that could help facilitate a work session or discussion.

Oman said that region Nine is doing that right now with the new community resiliency committee and that there are other groups that can do it as well.

“But I don’t think any of you should fall short that you can do that… I think you want to see some tangible objectives and performance measures,” Oman said.

Koppen added that he believed the group could flush out what it wants to happen and what its goals are.

“Let’s do what you guys want to do,” Koppen said.

He told the board he would work on flushing out the priorities and plan a little more and bring it back to the board, but that he would like to see its thoughts and opinions, too.

In other news:

— The board approved a $5,000 facade loan for Giddy Up Boutique.

— The board approved a membership renewal to Community Venture Network in the amount of $2,500.