FAIRMONT – Contingent on provisions and a lookover from County Auditor Michael Forstner, Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $100,000 forgivable loan for Lakeview Methodist Health Center’s Building Blocks Childcare Center in Fairmont during its meeting on Monday.

CEDA Community Development Specialist Celia Simpson said 20 percent of the loan would be forgiven annually.

“This would be contingent upon them continuing to operate a childcare center in that space,” she said. “If, for whatever reason, they closed within three years, they would still then owe the remainder of that balance to us.”

This proposal comes as a result of discussions from the May 5 meeting, where $100,000 had been discussed but it was not known at the time what the correct way of doing so would be.

Board Member Elizabeth Miller asked if the agreement was contingent on Lakeview Methodist taking over the childcare zone. Simpson said that would be included in the agreement’s language.

Allocation of money was the next question. Board Member Tim Terfehr wanted specifications on whether the money would just be for infrastructure and not for operation. Simpson said it is specified in the agreement that the money goes toward construction costs.

In addition, Terfehr said he wants to ensure the childcare center transfers from a for-profit entity to Lakeview Methodist before the money is sent out. In doing so, they avoid setting what Terfehr said would be a weird precedent of loaning county money to a for-profit entity under agreement it is transferred to a non-profit later.

“You could always add in a contingency,” Simpson said. “Within one year, if Building Blocks is not under Lakeview Methodist’s umbrella, they’ve defaulted on the loan and need to pay it back.”

Terfehr supported including this contingency.

Terfehr motioned to approve the loan. Board Member Richard Koons asked to specify that they make the contingency changes, have the County Auditor look it over, then the board approves, and Board Chair Wes Anderson agreed. Anderson then seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

In other news

— CEDA Head Consultant Amber Patten said a burger chain is interested in opening a location in Fairmont, according to discussions with The Retail Coach. She said this inquiry is different from many others in that this franchise already has a franchisee looking to operate in Fairmont. Patten said often, franchises are interested in coming but can’t find a franchisee to operate a potential location. Patten said she would keep the board posted

— The County EDA budget for 2026 was approved. The budget stays the same from 2025, and no discussion was had on any minor changes.

— Simpson, along with Koons and Board Member Billeye Rabbe, attended a township meeting about broadband internet access. Koons said he learned a lot about the history of internet access in rural southern Minnesota and who helped to get it to the point it is today. There was also discussion about ensuring the internet spread continues, with Koons saying Martin County will assist county townships in that arena.