FAIRMONT – The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) had good news to share as it looked back on 2025 during its meeting on Monday.

The report, created by CEDA Specialists Amber Patten and Celia Viesselman, reported a 3 percent increase in total jobs from 2019 to 2024, six new homes constructed by tax abatement, a 3.9 percent estimated market value increase across commercial and residential properties since 2024,and $29,000 in grant funds secured for local towns, not including matching funds from the county.

Unemployment is currently at 2.8 percent. For those employed, Viesselman said 2,660 of them come from elsewhere to work in Fairmont, 5,392 work and live in Fairmont and 4,281 live in Fairmont but leave for work.

“The businesses here could potentially have more employees [from] here,” she said. “There are more people who live here who could work here.”

In Business Retention and Expansion, 172 businesses were supported through six business workshops.

“The biggest one was the Paid Leave workshop with 93 businesses,” Viesselman said. “Sixty-five employers were engaged at the Area Career Expo at Fairmont High School.”

Last year also provided Martin County the opportunity to pursue a $320,000 Federal EDA Disaster Grant, to which there would be $80,000 matched in local funds. The grant would allow for business workshops, recovery planning, workforce assessments and expanding skill-training programs.

It’s not just about Fairmont either. The year 2025 provided several opportunities to help multiple communities in Martin County.

Dunnell has collaborated with the EDA to identify grant opportunities for local needs. Northrop was able to apply for a Minnesota Department of Health grant for potential long-term safety, Sherburn received financial literacy programming via SouthPoint Financial and Truman received $19,000 that went toward multiple recreational amenities.

At the end of 2025, Martin County was 74 out of 87 Minnesota counties in Broadband access. Viesselman said it shouldn’t be that way for long.

“I expect that number to go up drastically once the Federated projects [kick in],” she said. “They just haven’t progressed super far.”

Through Federated Rural Electric Association, Martin County has invested $3 million into broadband to connect 12 townships across Martin County and allow for further development in the future.

The Local Housing Trust Fund was implemented for the first time in 2025, awarding $13,724 to Martin-Faribault County Habitat for Humanity. They will be building a house with Martin County West school, which will be placed on a lot in Sherburn.

Looking ahead to 2026, the EDA seeks to deepen business retention and expansion efforts through The Retail Coach, workshops for topics like Earned Sick and Safe Time updates, understanding and responding to anticipated workforce shortages and working with employers to compete, grow and retain talent.

Community Development is also a priority for 2026. Projects include furthering use of the housing trust fund, providing grant writing and research to smaller communities for enhancing quality of life and keeping the throttle wide open on increasing broadband access across Martin County.

This report will be presented to the County Commissioners for review.

In other news:

— Experts met with the City of Dunnell to discuss and plan out options regarding the now-applied Paid Leave laws in Minnesota.

— A meeting was held with Marci Goodwin of SmartStart. The discussion centered around potential support for smaller entrepreneurs and microbusinesses.

— Multiple female-owned businesses in Martin County were assisted throughout the month of December. The EDA came to their aid regarding grant applications and expansion opportunities.