“We’ve all heard someone say, ‘I wish there were more things to do downtown!’” This is the header on a new marketing postcard put out by the City of Rushford. The card also encourages applicants to consider utilizing the Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) Matching Funds Micro-Grant Program.
The program started in 2013 when the EDA saw a need to assist businesses and organizations. The matching portion was later added. “The EDA recognizes the need to stimulate investment in the beautification of commercial structures primarily located in the downtown, to encourage events and the performing arts, and for other purposes that will positively impact the experience of both local and visiting customers. This program has been created to provide incentive financing for commercial/mixed-use building exterior beautification and events to promote the viability and vitality of the downtown area primarily and secondly to make Rushford a more attractive place to visit and live,” as stated in the guidelines.
Applicants that qualify may be awarded up to a $500, matching funds grant on a first-come, first-served basis. Wherever possible, applicants are encouraged to use local artists, vendors, and suppliers. As noted on the postcard, eligible events include dance performances, musical theatre, competitions, comedy, theatre, illusion, music, and magic. Additionally, they can be used for bike racks, website developments for the business, marketing, menu boards, flowers/plants, public sidewalk seating benches, business signage, handicapped accessibility, events, and the performing arts.
To date, the program has funded more than $19,809 of projects totaling more than $81,855 in community events, betterment, and marketing. For more information, businesses, individuals, and non-profit groups can contact city hall or go online to www.rushford.govoffice.com.
A number of events are slated for August within the Rushford Peterson Valley. They included a business open house, book signing, and Sunday Music Series at the Peterson Bandstand. Still upcoming are the Rushford Music Series, held every Thursday evening in August, the Good Shepherd Gold Classic, August 14, the Southeastern Minnesota Bluegrass Festival, August 19-22, the Bluff Land Triathalon and Root River Jams, both of which are slated for August 21.
During the August 9 council meeting, the council approved two donations for various city projects. They included $4,835 from Rushford Community Foundation (Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund) for the downtown Rushford Music Series and Root River Jams events, as well as Mill Street/Park Street parking lot boulevard improvements. The second donation, in the amount of $750, from American Legion Post 94, Rushford-Peterson Booster Club, and Valley Crest Riders, was also for the Root River Jams event.
The council also briefly reviewed the Home Renovation Loan Program which partners the Rushford EDA with Semcac. The funding, which is limited to households with gross income in the 100 percent medium or below level for Fillmore County, ranges from $5,000 to $24,999. It includes 2% for a 10-year term and 0% after. To date, $100,696 has been funded for six properties. More information can be found by contacting Cindy Vitse, Semcac, at cindy.vitse@semcac.org or (507) 864-8207.
In other news, the city joins a number of Fillmore County municipalities and townships which are legally required to make a payback to Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation (MERC) for taxes payable in 2021. Following the decision on a successful lawsuit, the city will pay $2,559.02 to MERC. This is the second successful lawsuit by the corporation, against the State of Minnesota, for how valuation is put on their property.
“This year it’s the same thing. They’re getting relief from the state,” said City Clerk Kathy Zacher. “If they won a lawsuit saying this is how it should have been valued, you’d think it would be changed. It could be, they just have an easement and are being taxed more on a personal property level.”
“The state might not have an incentive to fix it if other utilities aren’t contesting it,” added Councilor Sally Ryman. “It could also be the way they are being taxed in a rural area versus how they’re taxed in the city.”
Several miscellaneous updates were also discussed. They included a memo on potential projects for the American Rescue Plan Federal Funding, which are allocated by the state and then by city, based on population. The funds are different from Coronavirus Relief Funds received in 2020. As noted in the memo, the city cannot use the funds to offset taxes, for pensions, debt service, or general savings. “The intent is for cities to use these funds for investment in infrastructure and to be flexible for each community as each will have different needs,” stated the memo. The city will received $179,360 and funds must be spent by 2024.
“It’s different department heads that are thinking of different things,” noted Zacher. “We really don’t want to spend a lot of money on consultants and engineers. We’d like to be able to do projects we know we can do.”
“It seems so far away, but it isn’t,” said Mayor Terri Benson.
The city has received half of the funding thus far and the next half is expected within a year from the first receipt. “Some is through DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) and some through student loans in unemployment, energy assistance, and home rental assistance for utilities also,” she noted. “We keep telling people all these different places they can go. At some point, these places are going to be running out of money, so they need to stay ahead of it. Some of these things, people might have to do a little homework on.”
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. It is open to the public.
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