Photo by Karen Reisner
At the July 11 Fillmore County Board meeting, airport manager Pam Schroeder reported that the Fillmore County Airport will be awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant in the amount of $950,000. It is one of four grants to be received by Minnesota airports.
The federal funding is part of the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law last year. Funds will be used for a new arrival/departure or terminal building. The grant requires a 5% match or $50,000 of local funds.
Schroeder said there were 650 applicants for the highly competitive grant nationwide. A total of 85 airports were selected. Forty-seven grants went to rural or disadvantaged populations. She said the grant will fast forward improvements at the airport by 20 years. Fillmore County scored well in part due to community economic development pieces, including the veterans cemetery and veterans home; plus, it is a destination for tourists. The infrastructure law seeks to increase development in smaller communities.
Minnesota Council of Airports (MCOA)
Pam Schroeder has been chosen as the next chair and the first woman chairperson of the MCOA. She has been the Fillmore County airport manager since 2006. During her two-year term she will focus on people, which are needed for an airport to function. She credits MCOA with helping her form relationships with the FAA and MnDOT Aeronautics. Thereby, she has been more able to solve problems and learn effective airport management.
Other business in brief
•Jill Huffman, Harmony Telephone Company, explained the Minnesota Border to Border grant application for 2022 is due August 4. The project area is north of their current project area and south of Fountain, which includes 114 locations between Preston and Fountain. This includes underserved and unserved areas. The total project cost is $2.8 million. The request is for $1.1 million from the state.
The board approved a letter of support from each of the commissioners and an agreement for a loan of $75,000 (to be paid back over three years). Huffman said, “We are very excited to expand broadband.”
•Sara Sturgis, Historical Society, made a request for a 2023 appropriation. She asked the board to consider a $5,000 increase for 2023 as the historical center building is need of some maintenance. The Fillmore County Historical Center in Fountain had 1,200 visitors last year, about 50% local people and about 50% tourists. Commissioner Duane Bakke noted the center has been really active the last few years.
•Aaren Mathison, Ag Society, updated the board on the improvements made to the county fairgrounds over the last year. The conservation building was rotting and unsalvageable; it was removed by the Highway Department. The horse arena project was finished. The fair this year runs from July 18-24. Last year was a record year for attendance. He referred to the fair as a family friendly, value-added event. He asked for the board’s continued support for 2023.
•Sheriff John DeGeorge asked for and received approval of a change order for Schneider Geospatial. The original contract agreement in July 2020 was for $21,600; the final fee was adjusted down to $9,326.88.
Approval was given to pay for tower repair ($3,318.70) and battery replacement ($1,492.54) expenses to Ancom Technical Center. Both are paid for out of 911 funds.
Approval was given to purchase a 2022 Dodge Durango squad car through Enterprise Fleet Management along with appropriate equipment and decals. The approval was for the purchase when and if the car becomes available. It will replace a 2016 Dodge Durango.
•County Attorney Brett Corson was given the board’s support to attend the National Association of Drug Court Professionals/Veterans Treatment Court National Conference in Nashville, Tenn., from July 24-28. Corson plans to attend a veterans’ centered program. A grant received by Freeborn County will cover costs.
• Budget season is here. The first departmental 2023 preliminary budgets were presented by Jason McCaslin, assessor, Lori Affeldt, finance director, and Christy Smith, auditor/treasurer. Smith also presented budgets for elections and data processing.
•The board interviewed an applicant for Social Service Manager.
•The next board meeting will be on July 26.
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