Greater Huron outlines housing needs, downtown loans and new projects including metal recycling and hotel groundbreaking

Ted Hader, speaking for Greater Huron, told the City Commission that local development and workforce efforts are underway and identified specific housing and downtown priorities.

Hader said Southtown has sold 25 of 62 lots and the organization expects three to four additional new houses this summer. He summarized a housing needs assessment prepared with the Augustana Research Institute: under a low-growth scenario Huron needs “6 to 7 new owner-occupied houses a year and 12 to 15 rental units per year,” and under higher growth those numbers rise, Hader said. “If we wanna grow, we need to push things a little bit more than we have in the past,” he said.

Hader listed financing and downtown efforts: Greater Huron has provided about $1.45 million in direct loans to building and business improvements and has supported facade grants totaling roughly $175,000 in phased payments. He also described partnerships with the Huron School District and career and tech ed program to build spec homes through a CTE class, and noted one spec home is under contract.

On projects, Hader said Dakota Metal Recycling is working on a site outside the city limits in the joint jurisdictional area and has started earthwork; he said the company aims to be operational in 2026. He also invited the public to a hotel groundbreaking scheduled for 11 a.m. July 27 at 26th Street and Kansas Avenue SE, and said ongoing negotiations and lot sales should bring additional housing stock.

Hader said the organization is pursuing a range of price points and development partners while continuing downtown loan programs and workforce partnerships to support local growth.

Commissioners thanked Hader and noted the continued need to coordinate infrastructure and development timelines.