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EDA reviews plan to sell remaining Eric Dowdle puzzles online to recoup $122,000 investment
Summary
Cottage Grove EDA staff reported the city purchased 3,000 custom puzzles from artist Eric Dowdle and has invested just over $122,000; nearly 1,600 remain. Staff proposed using Dowdle’s online platform to sell puzzles at $15 each, which could help recover additional revenue.
The Cottage Grove Economic Development Authority heard a presentation July 14 on options to liquidate remaining inventory from a custom-puzzle project created with artist Eric Dowdle.
Vice President Justin Olsen asked Nate, the city’s community/economic development manager, to review the professional services agreement and the project’s finances. Nate said the EDA purchased 3,000 puzzles and has invested just over $122,000 in the project, including about $75,000 for the commission of the custom artwork. He reported roughly 1,600 puzzles remain unsold and revenue to date is about $37,500.
Nate said staff is proposing to list the puzzles on Dowdle’s online platform and sell them there for $15 each. “Basically, to answer your question, Member Cheetah, $15 is what we'd be selling it online,” Nate said. He explained the platform would accept payments and the city would receive $15 per sale; staff said there would be no additional upcharge on top of that price.
EDA members asked about alternatives, including donations. Olsen asked whether donations to local nonprofits had been considered; Jennifer, who spoke from the dais, said the EDA has tried wholesale arrangements with local businesses including boutique shops and larger retailers without success. She added that donating stock—valued in the meeting at over $22,000—would require review by the city attorney to ensure any donation aligns with the city’s public-purpose policy.
Nate described other recovery tactics: additional marketing, leveraging past promotions led by Parks & Rec, and listing across the EDA’s sales channels at the lower price point. He said the online platform approach could potentially recoup roughly another $24,000, though staff cautioned that earlier materials and meeting remarks include inconsistent numerical phrasing and that precise recovery is uncertain.
Because the Authority lacked a quorum, members could only discuss the proposal; no formal vote or contract action occurred at the meeting.
The EDA did not set a timeline for implementation at the July 14 meeting. Nate said staff will return with specifics or, if appropriate, bring the matter forward for formal action when a quorum is present.
