Sentinel Staff Writer
FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Economic Development Authority approved three loan requests at their monthly meeting on Monday night. One of those includes a new business project that could bring a brewery to Fairmont.
The first loan will be made to a startup business project if that business is allowed to purchase the sale of the Senior Center building located at 414 Downtown Plaza. A proposal has been sent to the City Council which it will review and decide on in its next meeting on Monday.
The owner is Joe Riemann, who recently relocated to Fairmont from Minneapolis. The business plan is to create a craft beer with the use of state-of-the-art brewing equipment. They will serve craft beers which will be named after the Fairmont chain of lakes and provide a menu featuring locally made brats, chips and dip.
Martin County Library
We were glad to see that the Martin County Library re-opened this week. Due to COVID-19, the Library has been open to contactless pickup only since November 23, 2020. They are currently open at 50 percent capacity and also asking patrons to keep to a 30-minute visit.
We wish the Library well and hope they will be increasing the time per visit soon as the Library is a great resource for several citizens who don’t have access to the internet and enjoy researching.
Resident Recruitment
At this week’s Fairmont Economic Development Authority meeting, Linsey Preuss, Fairmont economic development coordinator, reported responses to the Fairmont Area Life Resident Recruitment Campaign. She reported that the ad campaign saw 292,524 impressions, 253 clicks, 2,702 engagements and 258 visits since last reported. We have had two families relocate from the Minneapolis area. We couldn’t agree with her more when she stated, “I would consider that a huge win if
FAIRMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS APPROVED FAIRMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS APPROVED
The Fairmont Economic Development Authority approved five loans Wednesday evening, four of which were directly impacted by COVID and one Micro-Loan request. That request was from Denise Rouse of Giddy up boutique. F E D A staff reviewed the application and program requirements and recommended approval for a loan up to 50% of the total project cost of a furnace/boiler replacement with a max $10,000 at an interest rate of 3% for 7 years.
The four Cares Act Relief Fund loan requests came from Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center, The Blazer Bar and Grill, Bowlmor Lanes and Fairmont Awards MFG.
Sentinel Staff Writer
FAIRMONT The Fairmont Economic Development Authority approved five loans Wednesday evening, four of which were directly impacted by COVID and one MicroLoan request.
Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center applied for a $25,000, 0 percent interest loan to assist with the offset of revenue and help pay the expenses as a result of COVID. The business shut down operations down in 2020 due to the governor’s executive orders. Live Fit is in their first year of operation. Collateral will include a blanket UCC filing specifically listing two treadmills and personal guarantees from owners Alex Schliesmann and Jennifer Moeller.
The Blazer Bar and Grill applied for a $25,000, 0 percent interest rate loan to offset the loss of revenue and help pay for expenses. Collateral will be a property owner Mark Atkinson owns located at 931 Albion Avenue along with a personal guarantee from Atkinson.
Man gives to needy
Kudos to Eric Leach for turning a personal negative into a group positive. Put out of work due to an injury, Leach chose to find a way to help others during his own time of hardship, by gathering donations and giving them to the elderly and families in need. As we approach the Christmas season, Leach serves as an example to all of us. While 2020 has been stressful and painful for many, let’s not forget that there are people still willing to help their fellow man.
Mental health aid
Human Services of Faribault and Martin counties will be offering free mental health first aid courses in the first three months of the new year. The courses teach people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The courses are sure to be a benefit to those who take them, as well as their friends and loved ones. Many people have struggled throughout this pandemic, losing businesses and suffering depression. We hope these course