By Robert Williams

Editor

The Vergas Economic Development Authority (EDA)/Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) held its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 29, at Billy’s Corner Bar.

Speakers shared community updates and the event provided board members and local business owners an opportunity to share and learn more about initiatives like the Growing Up Vergas Project and the Business Facade Grant Program. 

EDA/HRA Chairman Bruce Albright emceed the event and highlighted the impact of the group over the past year. 

“The goal of the Vergas EDA/HRA is to retain and promote businesses in our community, adding housing so we can prosper and increase our tax base keeping Vergas a vital community,” Albright said. 

The EDA/HRA receives funding from the city, but acts independently. However, funding is not easy to attain with many grant programs being highly competitive in Minnesota.

The group received a pair of vital donations prior to the event totaling $35,000. Vergas State Bank donated $25,000 and the Community Club added $10,000 to support efforts in 2026 to bring daycare to Vergas. The Growing Up Vergas Project has been the main focus of the EDA/HRA for the past year.

“We thank you,” said Albright. “You are truly involved with this community and make it what it is. We appreciate working with you on all that we do.”

Albright expounded on the prioritization of Vergas’ daycare needs. The role that the group took was to locate anyone with ideas 

“All we know is that Vergas could really use a good daycare facility and we’re willing to help in any way, shape or fashion,” he said.

The EDA/HRA was also one of the only recipients in the state to receive a Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP), managed by First Children’s Finance. The program is a community engagement initiative funded by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families to increase high-quality, affordable childcare in rural areas. It guides communities through a structured process to identify shortages and create local solutions, rather than acting solely as a direct grant to providers.

There is a lot ready for the future daycare. The EDA/ HRA has signed a purchase agreement for the lot next to Jesus Little Lambs Preschool on East Altona Drive.

“It couldn’t fit better in terms of having two of the same types of businesses side-by-side,” Albright said.

Another highlight of the past year was the $50,000 Community Rehabilitation Grant, $25,000 of which came from Otter Tail County, $15,000 from Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA), and $5,000 each from Vergas State Bank and the Vergas Community Club.

Various businesses were able to use the grant to improve outdoor facades and indoor improvements on a case-by-case basis.

The grant is nearly exhausted with Albright pointing out there is enough for 1.5 full grants with one pending application. The maximum grant that can be applied for is $5,000.

The EDA/HRA was influential in providing an extra handicapped parking spot downtown located near Vergas Hardware.

Other EDA/HRA successes over the past couple years included Small Businesses Development Center workshops for local business owners, along with selling nearly all the tax-forfeited lots in the Sunny Oaks subdivision. 

“As of today, we’ve only got one lot left, so that’s been good to see those new homes built back there,” said Albright.

There are also two open lots owned by Otter Tail County which are earmarked for senior housing triplexes. In 2025, the county’s HRA built and opened two triplexes containing a total of six single-level, 1- and 2-bedroom units in Dalton for residents 55+ with income limits (1 person: $52,100; 2 people: $59,550 as of late 2024). 

“We’re still on the county’s list; they’re finishing up some projects,” said Albright. “We’re looking for grant funding from the state. We’re going to keep that on our to-do list. It’s going to take some time but hopefully, that will come to fruition.”                              

Albright thanked former Chairman DuWayne Ditterich, former member Joy Summers, who both resigned after the 2025 calendar year. The duo was replaced by Jennifer Carlson and former chairman Kevin Zitzow. Julie Lammers was also lauded for the many hats she wears in Vergas.

CEDA Community and Business Development Specialist Katie Gehring took over the Vergas consultant role from Community Development Leader Jordan Grossman in January and addressed the audience after Albright.

Gehring highlighted CEDA’s 50 consultants in mostly rural communities in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois and the benefits, especially when it comes to being approved for state and federal grants.

“You have that perspective on your grant applications,” she said. “We have a planning department. They do everything from comprehensive planning down to housing studies. It’s kind of a multi-faceted approach and when you have one person you have that perspective of 50 other people helping your community.”

Gehring discussed the rehab grant and the importance of the contributions from the bank, community club and CEDA to reach the $25,000 mark and qualify for the matching county grant.

Nine different businesses have utilized the grant.

After a broasted chicken dinner sponsored by Billy’s Corner Bar, guest speaker Darren Dunlop closed the meeting sharing insights from his career in community and business development. 

Dunlop served as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce for three decades, retiring in 2025. Throughout his tenure at the Chamber, Dunlop grew the Community Builders program to over 70 investors, a testament to his vision and ability to inspire investment in the region’s economic vitality.

Vergas EDA/HRA monthly meetings are open to the public and held at the Government Services Center downtown on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The meetings can also be viewed live on Zoom. Login credentials are available on the city’s website www.cityofvergas.com