FAIRMONT – The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved seeking $320,000 from the Federal EDA Disaster Relief Program to make up ground from the 2024 flooding.

The flooding from June 15-24 resulted in the loss of 57 manufacturing jobs. Seven out of the nine cities in Martin County have per capita incomes below 80 percent of the US per capita income. CEDA Consultant Celia Simpson said the two who weren’t in this category are Dunnell and Fairmont. She said unemployment in one census tract in and around Ceylon is 10 percent.

They would be collaborating on this federal grant request with Region 9. Group representative Jessica Beyer said normally an entire county wouldn’t typically be eligible for economic development grants, but because the county as a whole was affected by this disaster, they are.

“It’s a unique opportunity where you can help all communities at the county level and coordinate this project to get ahead and be proactive with some of the needs,” Beyer said.

Another instance that makes this proposal unique is generally, a federal EDA grant would be a 60-40 match with 40 percent being covered by the county. In this instance, the split is 80-20, with only 20 percent, in this case $80,000, needing to be covered by the county. That money would be found in $36,000 of county cash, $40,000 of contracted staff time and $4,000 from Region Nine.

Simpson said there are three goals they want to hit with this funding: Build resiliency in manufacturing and other key industries, diversify the economy and improve downtown recovery.

For diversification of the economy, they are looking to start an Entrepreneur Accelerator program with 12 entrepreneurs bringing their business ideas through the program.

For downtown recovery, the plan is to build action plans for at least three cities. Truman, Sherburn and Welcome are currently on the shortlist.

Options are still open for resiliency building in industries. The current focus is to boost retention of local graduates and expand opportunities.

“Healthcare, Mayo Clinic here in town is one of those key issues we all know is struggling,” Simpson said. “Construction is another one that I would say is struggling.”

Simpson said they have potentially looked at a career exploration and retention piece for area young adults. Confusion had arisen as to whether the program would include incoming 17-year-old seniors or not. Simpson said if a program like this were to be implemented, it would have to be for those 18 years or older due to laws and insurance.

Of the total $400,000, half would go toward consultant services on how to best navigate disaster recovery for Martin County. The three program focuses would receive $170,000, with downtown recovery receiving $70,000 and diversifying the economy and building resiliency receiving $50,000 each. The remaining $30,000 would go toward grand management and travel costs.

Board Member Elizabeth Miller asked when decisions would need to be made to meet deadlines. Simpson said it is a rolling deadline, and they could do several applications in pieces instead of just one.

Board Member Billeye Rabbe asked what the time frame would be to spend the money. Simpson said it would be a 16 to 18 month window. Launching requests for proposals and selecting a consultant would be in the first two months, starting initial assessments for programs in five months, starting and running programs for a full year, then closing out programs and determining next steps in the final two months.

Rabbe motioned to approve moving forward with this grant request process, with Tom Lytle seconding. The motion passed unanimously.

In other news:

— A letter of support for Dunnell was approved. The town is pursuing a small-town grant through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. The program is open to communities of 10,000 or fewer people. A letter sent by the county and signed off on by Board Chair Wes Anderson notes investing in small towns like Dunnell improves infrastructure and public spaces, but also strengthens long-term sustainability.

— Board Member Richard Koons asked if the County EDA could support the Martin County Veterans Memorial Project with a small donation as the project nears completion. Anderson said they would be on board with that, and he motioned with Rabbe seconding to have CEDA work on a donation proposal from the County EDA.