Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the August 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council welcomed new Community Economic Development Associates’ (CEDA) consultant Jayme Longmire and CEDA Community and Business Development Specialist for Fillmore County Allison Whalen. The two presented details on a number of initiatives for the area that may pertain to the village, specifically now that the updated Comprehensive Plan is complete.
According to Whalen, CEDA is considering a childcare initiative in Fillmore County. The Rural Child Care Innovation Program is funded by First Children’s Finance and is “designed to increase the supply of high quality affordable child care in rural communities,” according to the program details. While it’s already been successful in other counties, CEDA must get a team established before bringing it before the county commission. If selected as a county, the initiative would take 18-24 months and requires a core team of volunteers with a passion for childcare. The Houston County group concluded the initiative earlier this spring and still meets for a core effort, according to Whalen.
“Just because that time would end, that core team, if all is going well, could continue to meet, develop, and grow,” she said. “If a housing development is ever truly started and infrastructure starts going, remember growth with housing brings families.”
“You can’t really talk about housing without childcare,”added Longmire. “Communities are now seeing childcare as a form of infrastructure, as an investment. It’s a change of perspective on childcare. It’s a very complicated thing.”
“It’s a critical need,” stressed Whalen. “Fillmore County is currently (2024) 380 spots short for childcare slots. That number could be drastically different in 2025.”
“It’s just another thing to think about with rural development,” said Longmire. “There’s lots of pieces.”
CEDA is also taking a hard look at regional tourism initiatives that aren’t trail-based. Still in the early stages, they are also seeking those interested in serving on a team with a plan on bringing in stakeholders from the county.
The last initiative is applying for a seed grant fund which would help incorporate the vision and the views of county residents in the hopes of creating various plans and projects. The seed fund would help CEDA start those projects on a county level. County commissioners already approved applying for the Community Heart and Soul funding. It’s been done nationwide at both a community-level and county-level.
“It’s a pathway to planning, it’s a pathway to giving, and it’s a pathway for us to fund some of these programs and projects,” noted Whalen.
Again, CEDA is looking for a group of volunteers interested in serving, hopefully from each community in the county or at least each district.
Looking at plans and projects, Longmire asked the council for direction on where her energy should be focused for the village.
“It’s a good reminder of what was put in place for a potential action plan, a work plan, some next steps,” she said, referencing the Comprehensive Plan. “What are your thoughts? Where would you like to move forward? My recommendation as your contracted economic development person would be to pick one and I can put my efforts into that and start working on a roadmap for you for that one thing.”
Of the items in the plan, the council focused mainly on residential development and community development, collaborating with other cities, townships, and communities in the county. Mayor Dennis Overland suggested the village look at the Revolving Loan Fund to see if there’s any opportunity to use the funding to assist with development.
“We need the people and the businesses will come. If you don’t have the people, you won’t have the businesses,” noted Councilor Mike Ebner.
The fund, provided through DEED, has some specifications that determine where and how the funding can be used.
“The only thing they said is we could not buy land, but it’s got to go somewhere,” stressed City Treasurer Judy Graham.
There are currently three residential developments in the very early stages of planning. Longmire sought clarification on the development holdups. Overland indicated some of the land identified for potential housing isn’t available for purchase, some have land type issues, some developers are new and unsure of the next steps, and cost is always a concern. Village ordinances require paved roads for housing developments and lots 2.5 acres in size. Developments in the sewer and water district, however, can be just 12,000 square feet. Infrastructure plans and needs are unknown at this time.
The council suggested that anything available for funding to help someone get a development off the ground would be key with set up costs high. Unfortunately, so much of the funding available for housing is for infrastructure and the plotting of what’s called ‘workforce housing,’ geared towards lower to middle class incomes.
“Building a new home or buying a home less than five years old, right now, is too expensive for a family with a median income. You’re not going to get that kind of affordable housing on a 2.5 acre lot. There’s lots of funding, but it’s very specific,” cautioned Longmire. “Those types of infrastructure and housing programs are tough.”
“I think the type of housing you’re asking for doesn’t qualify for state funds. It’s multi-family housing, manufactured homes, redevelopment, and workforce housing,” she continued. “You’re looking for market-value, single-family homes. The council will discuss the concerns with the Planning and Zoning Board.
As for community collaboration, Overland explained that Rushford Village, Rushford, and Peterson used to gather for a tri-city meeting quarterly. Those ended sometime in the last six years, according to Overland. Longmire liked the idea of such a collaboration and indicated she’d reach out to see if there’s a possibility of resuming it.
In other news, the council approved a resolution allowing Fillmore County to sell a tax-forfeited property located at 45694 Money Creek Road. Fillmore county will publish notice of the forfeiture and auction off the property at a later date.
The 2026 preliminary budget was also touched on. It will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.