Houston Area Chamber of Commerce elects new officers

The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce elected new officers at the organization’s annual membership meeting on March 20 at Timeless Creations gift shop in Houston. Timeless Creations co-owners Vicki Olson and Kristen Collins hosted the event. Chamber of Commerce Director Margaret Knutson assisted.

Ron Evenson was elected president; Rod Torgerson, vice president; Patrick Forsyth, treasurer; and John Evenson as secretary. Vicki Olson was elected as a new member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Also attending were Michelle Hoskins, Diane Forsyth, Jim and Shelly Jerviss, Rae Evenson, Marlene Schultz, Ashley Laschenski, and Karla Bloem. Allison Wagner, Director of Grants for Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA), attended and gave an overview of CEDA’s activities.

Margaret Knutson reported that the Houston Chamber of Commerce will be attending ribbon cutting events including at the Houston Area Preservation Initiative’s Nels Forsyth house at 301 Maple Street, on May 1, and at the Houston Area Museum on May 11. The Houston Area Museum is the former Houston Community Center.

Knutson encourages Houston business owners and community leaders to use the Houston Chamber of Commerce’s website, Instagram and Facebook pages to promote their business and events. Knutson said, “Then when people are coming to visit Houston they’ll know about what’s going on in town.” For example, information about the summertime “Lawnchair Concerts” is featured.

Chamber meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Monday of each month. For more information on the chamber, go to www.houstonmnchamber.com.

Economic Development

Guest speaker Allison Wagner, CEDA, reviewed Houston County’s economic development efforts during 2022, including two economic development loans totaling $52,500 that are helping to grow these businesses:

• A $37,500 EDA loan for rehab of 111 E. Grove Street in Caledonia housing Tamiko’s Hair Salon and Boutique, an antiques shop, and rental apartment.

• A $15,000 loan to the recently opened Butcher Shoppe LLC meats and deli in Hokah for purchase of equipment.

Wagner described CEDA’s work with the Bluff Country Collaborative (BCC). This partnership includes Houston and Fillmore County Economic Development Authorities, all Houston County school districts, more than 100 businesses, and Workforce Development Inc., Perkins Consortium, and SE Service Cooperative. BCC’s mission is to create work-based learning opportunities for area students, connecting them with businesses to provide job experience and exposure to career opportunities – while developing workforce pipelines. Five hundred fifty students and 24 businesses participated in the recent Career and Technical Education Career Fair in Caledonia. Also, 170 Houston and Fillmore County students have participated in BCC job shadows to date in 2023.

Coworking space

The Keep Company Co-Working Space is a partnership between the Houston CEDA, City of La Crescent, and the La Crescent Chamber of Commerce, and was initiated when the La Crescent Chamber expanded its office space and created a coworking space for entrepreneurs.

Childcare project

Wagner helped to secure a $42,000 grant from First Children’s Finance Childcare, and established a team of parents, educators, government officials and community members to address childcare needs in Houston County. Wagner said, “Wherever I go in Houston County, childcare is a huge issue. Houston County is currently short about 500 childcare slots. It’s a huge need across the county.”

Farming Initiative

CEDA continues its Farming Initiative, encouraging farmers to try new ideas to help them become even more successful. The initiative is a partnership with Workforce Development Inc. and the University of Minnesota Extension.

Root River Trail extension

Prompted by the new Wagon Wheel Trail Bridge at La Crescent, the Cities of La Crescent, Houston, and Hokah, and Houston County entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to cooperate in planning and developing the recreational trail system between the communities.

HAPI

The Houston Area Preservation Initiative (HAPI) organization is a 510c3 nonprofit working to preserve the 1878 Nels Forsyth home at 301 Maple Street in Houston. Wagner’s work with HAPI resulted in a grant from the Minnesota State Historic Legacy Grant.

2023 CEDA Goals

• Strengthen partnerships with Houston County schools and continue the Bluff Country Collaborative initiative;

• Continue the Farming Initiative;

• Look for grant opportunities within the county;

• Continue working with local and regional organizations and county departments;

• Grow public awareness of Houston CEDA;

• Implement strategic marketing practices for Houston County and communities.

For more about CEDA, go to: houstoncountymn.com.