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EDA staff reports grants for Old Town retailers, Hennepin County award and uptick in housing permits
Summary
EDA staff said the authority will receive $30,000 in retail grants (matching awards of $5,000–$15,000) and a separate Hennepin County grant award of $60,000 to support planning; staff also reported increased single-family housing permits and upcoming community events.
At the June 16 meeting, John Seabold, executive director, reported several staff updates including grant awards, community events and a rise in housing-permit activity.
Seabold told the board the EDA’s matching-retail grant application was awarded $30,000, intended to fund grants to retail business owners in Old Town between $5,000 and $15,000 with a 1-to-1 match. "We were awarded $30,000; this will fund grants to retail business owners and operators in Old Town between 5 and $15,000. It's a 1 to 1 match," Seabold said and noted a grant agreement would be available for the EDA to sign soon.
He also said the EDA applied for three Hennepin County grants and had been notified of one award: "It will be $60,000 either towards Small Area Plan for Old Town or for the city center," Seabold said; consultants contracted by the county will determine the best fit.
Staff updates included scheduled city events (family fun night, community car show and Riverfest on Aug. 7), community programs (Adopt-a-Park, social-worker drop-in at the police department) and sponsorships for seasonal flower pots by local businesses. Seabold also reported the 'Lent' property remained listed for sale at $259,000 and said staff had received more than 40 inquiries, mostly from investors rather than developers.
Seabold reported a notable rise in single-family housing permits in May, but the exact number stated in the transcript is unclear (the meeting audio referenced either '20 or 33' permits).
