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Waseca County authorizes EDA mortgage for workforce development center; federal interest protects $2.1M investment

Waseca County Board of Commissioners · February 6, 2026

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Summary

The county board authorized the chair to execute an EDA grant agreement that records a 20-year federal interest on property to protect a $2,100,000 EDA investment (roughly 70% of an estimated $3,000,000 project). Commissioners discussed implications for future county use and satisfaction of the mortgage.

The Waseca County Board authorized the county chair to sign the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant agreement that records a 20-year interest — described to commissioners as a mortgage-like protection — against the workforce development center property to secure a $2,100,000 EDA investment.

Staff said the EDA typically secures investments with a long-term interest in property used to deliver programs funded by the grant. The award represents roughly 70% of an estimated $3,000,000 project; staff said once the agreement is executed the county can advertise, award contracts and begin construction and then seek federal reimbursement as work is completed.

Commissioners asked whether the county could request satisfaction of the recorded interest earlier than 20 years; staff said the EDA and county could negotiate a release if circumstances warranted and that standard procedures exist for insurance or extraordinary events that would satisfy the obligation sooner.

The board voted to authorize execution of the agreement (motion by Commissioner Harvath; second by Commissioner Christopherson). The motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: Recording the interest is a standard federal practice that preserves the EDA’s investment and enables reimbursement flows; county officials said the mortgage-like instrument stabilizes the funding relationship and provides collateral for future EDA reinvestment decisions.

Next steps: Staff will submit the bid package and proceed with advertising and contracting; the county expects the federal EDA to send the funds after the documented scope and transfer process are completed.