By Robert Williams

Editor

The Vergas Vergas Economic Development Authority (EDA)/Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) voted unanimously to up their annual request from the budget committee and city by $5,000 for a total of $15,000 for fiscal year 2027.

The Wednesday, Sept. 2 resolution was passed with an explanation for the increase that it is necessary for the EDA/HRA to pay for its annual contract with consultants from Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA).

Typically, the EDA/HRA has been provided $5,000 from the city for the general EDA fund and another $5,000 for the CEDA contract itself.

The annual CEDA contract costs $16,000 and the EDA/HRA is at risk of not having enough funds to pay the whole amount.

EDA/HRA Chairman Bruce Albright acknowledged wearing two hats, as he is also a city council member, but noted the successes and future planning of the committee as justification for asking for increased funds.

“With all of the things we’ve done with the community rehab grants, the improvement of our buildings downtown—work is ongoing as we speak; Growing up Vergas, which I think is an exciting project…there are some exciting things happening in town and hopefully, they will continue. A lot of players involved obviously, but I think the EDA/HRA is fulfilling a role in that regard. All the new homes, Lawrence Lake, Eva-Dianne and Sunny Oaks.”

A decision will likely come from the city council as early as Tuesday, Sept. 8, as this month’s meeting was moved up a week.

The council has the option of a preliminary budget approval and an examination of funds leading to the final budget decision in December, according to Albright.

“The total city budget cannot go up from what we approved preliminary…but it could go down in December,” he said.

The EDA’s ability to raise money, with a lot sale or by other means was briefly discussed, but that conversation was mostly tabled to the October meeting after hearing from council next week.

“Sometimes, it takes some money to make a little money,” Albright said.

CEDA Representative Katie Gehring gave a report on First Children’s Finance. The Vergas EDA/HRA was 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.

Gehring has led the creation of a Vergas Daycare committee of 12 individuals split into groups covering: Facility, Workforce Development, and Provider Support.

Initial meetings are going to be scheduled for mid to late September. The First Children’s Finance contract expires Oct. 30. Gehring is hopeful to get input from First Children’s Finance to the groups for the next two months.

CEDA contract

The EDA/HRA has not yet seen the exact contract for next year, but have been made aware of a potential one to two percent increase in cost, according to Clerk-Treasurer Julie Lammers.

Having already discussed the desire to continue the relationship with CEDA, Albright asked for any other input.

Board member Vanessa Perry noted she does not believe the Growing Up Vergas daycare project will have difficulty moving forward without CEDA’s assistance, especially in the realm of grant management.

“CEDA has done some heavy lifting for us,” said Albright.

Perry acknowledged how tight the city budget is and the difficulty in providing funding.

“It’s not an easy job, by any means; I understand,” Perry said. 

Growing Up Vergas

Gehring announced applications have been submitted for the Great Plains and League of Minnesota Cities grants, including reworded verbiage on the Minnesota Cities resolution that needs to be passed by council. The EDA is not able to be given the grant funds directly. Funds are awarded to cities and then passed on to the EDA.

Gehring also sought approval to apply for a grant from the The Laura Jane Musser Fund, established by the estate of Laura Jane Musser of Little Falls to continue the personal philanthropy which she practiced in her lifetime.

Aside from providing local support in Little Falls, the fund initiatives are: rural communities, environmental, intercultural harmony and the arts.

The grant is up to $25,000 with no required match to implement community based rural projects that originate in, have been planned by, and involve diverse people from the local community. The projects should result in a tangible outcome within at least the first 18 months.

The motion to apply for the grant was unanimously approved.

Gehring also has two upcoming presentations with potential donors that could result in more funding for the daycare project. A decision is also upcoming on the EDA’s purchase agreement for the lot the new daycare center will be housed upon. Options are to close or extend it for another year, given the seller’s approval.

The EDA/HRA is accepting pledges from those who wish to contribute to the daycare project.

Closed meeting

A closed meeting was held to discuss an EDA/HRA-owned property at 220 Eva Street.