Summers and Wildfire Furs to upgrade facilities

File photo
Vergas State Bank was one of three entities to donate to the Vergas Housing and Redevelopment Authority that provided a total of $50,000 with matching funds from Otter Tail County to create Vergas’ new commercial rehabilitation program. Pictured are: Vergas EDA/HRA Board Member Paul Sonnenberg, City Council Liaison and Vice President Bruce Albright, Vergas State Bank Chairman Lee Dahlgren and Vergas State Bank Vice President Sherri Hanson.

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Vergas Economic Development Authority (EDA) / Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) held a special meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26, to approve two new grant applications as part of the village’s new commercial rehabilitation program, which consists of $50,000 in funds available for businesses in town to use for exterior and facade updates.

Photos by Robert Williams
A pair of grants were recently approved for improvements to be made at Wildlife Furs (right) and Summers Design Center (left) in Vergas. 

Cutting Edge Salon was the first company to utilize the grant program. On Wednesday, Summers Design Center and Wildfire Furs both submitted applications that were approved.

Summers Design Center submitted a $10,000 estimate for work on a portion of their parking lot. The maximum grant allowed is $5,000, that is paid out when a paid invoice for the work is submitted to the HRA.

Wildfire Furs is the second company and was also approved for the maximum amount allowed.

Plans there are to install 720-square feet of tongue and groove on the underside of the awning overhang. Removal of two doors, enlarging the opening of the second and enlarging that opening. The bid for the work is for $10,380.

In November, the Vergas Housing and Redevelopment Authority received $25,000 in donations and that amount was doubled by a matching grant from the county. Most of those donations came from Vergas State Bank ($5,000) and Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) donated $15,000.

The other item on the agenda was the approval of signatures from President DuWayne Ditterich or Vice President Bruce Albright on any sale of a lot in the Sunny Acres development.

The meeting was then closed to discuss a sale of another city lot.