Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Prospects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDA hears updates on Dairyland annexation, bike‑trail delay and EV charging interest
Summary
EDA staff reported progress on local prospects: two loan applicants are under review, the Dairyland annexation hearing is scheduled for the next council meeting with final approvals targeted for March, a bike‑trail plan amendment is delayed due to state staff reassignment for COVID vaccine work, and MiEnergy expressed willingness to discuss an EV charging project.
At its Jan. 7, 2021 meeting, Harmony EDA staff updated members on local prospects and project timelines.
Chris Giesen told the board he is working with two loan applicants currently under review. He said the bike‑trail plan amendment public hearing has not been scheduled because state staff were reassigned to support COVID‑19 vaccine deployment, which has limited capacity to move local project hearings forward.
Giesen reported that the Dairyland project remains active: an annexation hearing was scheduled for the next city council meeting and the business is completing site feasibility steps, with final approvals still targeted for the March council meeting. He said many timelines and issues are converging but the project remains under evaluation.
On transportation and amenities, Giesen said he had spoken with MiEnergy Cooperative about possible opportunities to partner on an electric vehicle charging station project; MiEnergy indicated it would attend a future meeting to discuss options and the board agreed to invite the cooperative.
Staff also said they would investigate restarting Trash and Treasure Day in 2021 and coordinate with the Chamber.
Next steps include continued staff follow up on loan applicants, scheduling or rescheduling of the bike‑trail hearing when state staff capacity permits, and the annexation hearing before the city council.
