CEDA pitches 'Fix‑Up Fund' as way to use $214,000 revolving loan balance; commissioners raise enforcement and site constraints

At the Nov. 18 Planning and Zoning meeting, Jayme Longmire of the Community and Economic Development Agency (CEDA) presented a draft 'Fix‑Up Fund' aimed at putting CRV’s $214,000 revolving loan balance to use for local economic development.

Longmire described options: a small‑grant or reimbursement model (for example, reimburse up to 50% of qualifying storefront improvement costs, capped at about $5,000 per mini‑grant), converting the program to low‑interest loans, or repurposing funds for housing infrastructure. She said the draft intentionally excludes in‑home businesses and that any business receiving funds would need to remain in operation for at least two years.

Commissioners acknowledged the fund balance but noted practical barriers. Gordon Johnson cautioned that grants can be hard to police and that loans must be collected; Glen Kopperud warned that overly generous incentives can attract marginal operators. The group identified possible commercial sites (old Norstad lumber yard, United Packaging, Jonathan Peterson building) but noted several owners are unwilling to sell. Longmire and commissioners also discussed coordinating with neighboring Rushford on sewer capacity and that some sites may require costly infrastructure—Longmire cited an estimate of roughly $100,000 to hard‑surface a road at a proposed Ladewig development.

No program was adopted; commissioners asked staff to consider the options further and weigh enforcement and feasibility before returning a recommendation to the council.