At the July 24 meeting, the Rushford Council heard from Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund (SMIF) representative Andi Arnold, who discussed ongoing programs, grants, loans, and investments in communities and future partnerships and programs.
Rushford is just one of the cities in Fillmore County benefitting from the SMIF partnership. According to Arnold’s report, for every $1 donated, $31 was spent in Fillmore County. There were 29 loans and 461 grants totaling $1.5 to businesses in the county, $3.3 million to support grants, and $12.6 million to support community initiatives and programming. These funds promote resources for businesses, encourage new residents, impact early childhood learning programs, strengthen economic development, and support community vitality and civic engagement. A portion of these funds supported efforts by the Rushford Community Foundation and Rushford Area Historical Society.
“We live in a vibrant and diverse region, and every community has unique needs and opportunities that we strive to address,” read the SMIF letter to the council.
Following Arnold’s presentation, the council approved a donation from Zane Schroeder’s Eagle Scout Project. Schroeder raised funds and installed a corn-hole game and equipment in City Park on Winona Street. Two bag sets for the project are available for checkout from the Rushford Public Library.
The council also discussed the recent fly-in at the airport on July 16. The Rushford Fly-In was not held in many years but was a popular event at the Robert W Bunke Field Airport. The event saw roughly 30 planes come in throughout the day. Organizers held a catered breakfast, and rides in either a plane or helicopter sold out quickly.
“It was really nice,” said Councilor Sally Ryman. “Out-of-town attendees said they were appreciative of community support. There were a lot of families out with kids getting their first plane ride.”
“It was a beautiful day for it. There were a lot of community people there,” agreed Mayor Terri Benson.
Local Rushford Flyers sponsored the event, held during Rushford Days festivities. It’s hoped it will become a recurring part of the annual celebration.
In other updates, the Library Board has received $64,000 in fundraising for the Susan Hart Memorial Gazebo project. The project’s original goal was $70,000, and the board is waiting to hear back on two grants, including one from SMIF.
The cooperative trail between the city and Rushford Peterson School District is also moving along. The area is now prepped and ready for blacktopping. The goal is to have it completed before the next school year starts.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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