Spring Valley EDA News

          Fillmore County businesses affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for Business Relief Grants of up to $10,000 beginning January 6th. The Fillmore County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 5th, to approve $415,000 in relief funding to Fillmore County businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were made available to Fillmore County by the State of Minnesota in a continuing effort to provide financial relief to county businesses.

          “As we start the new year, many of our Fillmore County businesses continue to struggle with the lingering effects of the pandemic,” said Chris Hahn, EDA Director for Fillmore County, “but unlike previous relief programs, these grant funds can be used for any business activity or need.”

Businesses and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply if they are located in Fillmore County, have no current tax liens on record with the Secretary of State at the time of their grant application and were impacted by a state executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Daycare and home-based businesses are also eligible for this program. Farming activities, including animal and crop production and businesses deriving most of their income from passive investments, rental income, gambling, and adult-oriented activity, are not eligible for these funds.

          Applications will be available beginning on January 6th, 2021 and must be returned no later than noon on February 1st, 2021, for consideration. Applications are available for download on the Fillmore County website and available for pick up at the Fillmore County Administrators office located at 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965. Completed applications should be emailed to bhillery@co.fillmore.mn.us or dropped off at the Fillmore County Administrator’s Office.

Questions should be directed to Fillmore County EDA Director Chris Hahn via email at chris.hahn@cedausa.com or Bobbie Hillery via email bhillery@co.fillmore.mn.us or by calling 507-765-4566.

Businesses in Fillmore County interested in applying can learn more about the State of Minnesota Program guidelines at County Relief Funding Program / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (mn.gov)

From the Spring Valley EDA Director

Dear Spring Valley Community:

2020 has indeed been a year like no other, filled with challenges, obstacles, and challenges. Our community continues to navigate COVID-19. The Spring Valley EDA continues to work with our businesses and organizations, to adapt and invest in our community to ensure a successful future. The Spring Valley Economic Development Authority (EDA) has collaborated with our local partners, businesses, and organizations to identify needs and develop solutions for the Spring Valley Community.

The EDA started 2020 by approving a $60,000 EDA loan to establish the new Stellar 181 Taphouse, now scheduled to open in 2021. This project is a unique collaboration. The Stellar 181 Taphouse plans to offer a limited hot food menu from a new kitchen installed in the adjacent “Some Like It Hot” catering business. Together, these businesses will offer a unique dining and gathering experience, either as a combined space or individually in historic downtown Spring Valley.

During the initial Governor ordered the shutdown, the EDA offered three-month loan deferrals on existing EDA loans to help local businesses cope with the lack of revenue. Upon the release of the Federal CARES Act funding to Minnesota Communities, and with the support of the Spring Valley City Council, the EDA allocated $20,000 of City CARES Act funding and created a Small Business Relief Grant program. This program awarded nine grants totaling $18,000 to Spring Valley businesses affected by COVID-19.

Child care providers were also adversely affected by COVID-19 this year. Ensuring that Spring Valley has quality sustainable child care remains a priority for the Spring Valley EDA. The EDA assisted one daycare provider who received a $2,500 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grant to expand her curriculum. Additionally, the EDA built upon a $3,000 grant from the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation to develop a Child Care Micro-Grant program that awarded $12,000 to local, in-home daycare providers. These funds were used to develop and update both facilities and curriculum.

Spring Valley was also showcased during the 2020 Regional Development Tour, developed by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA). A video showcasing the Spring Valley Community, its businesses, assets, quality of life and opportunities was produced and premiered at the Regional Development Tour Annual Event, held virtually this year. This video will be available on a new EDA website scheduled to go live in January of 2021.

One ongoing opportunity is “co-working” (or multiple people working remotely at one location). This concept is increasingly popular as more workers are allowed to work remotely, and not necessarily from home. The EDA developed a Co-working Survey to assess this concept’s interest in Spring Valley and is currently working with local property owners to build a pilot program.

Moving Forward!

2021 will offer some unique and exciting opportunities for Spring Valley, several of which are well underway.

Currently, the EDA is developing a brand-new Spring Valley EDA Website. The website will offer information, tools, resources, and links to assist Spring Valley businesses, local organizations, current residents, and people looking to relocate to Spring Valley. The site will offer our local businesses an updated business registry, free listings for local business space available for sale, lease or rent, and EDA loan and financial incentive information for companies looking to establish or relocate to Spring Valley.

Current Spring Valley residents will find news articles and press releases regarding local actives, programs and events, a Facebook tracker for both the Discover Spring Valley and City of Spring Valley Facebook pages, and a calendar of events happening in the community. For people looking to relocate to Spring Valley, the website will offer a residential real estate search function, housing incentive information, developer information for our affordable housing initiative, and a searchable business listing, and contact information for the EDA, utilities and other city resources.

Improving broadband service and accessibility continues to be an opportunity for Spring Valley. The EDA is currently contacting Broadband and Digital Communications service providers to address the growing demand for current and reliable broadband in our community and develop a plan for improvement.

Spring Valley will also welcome several new businesses in 2021. A new bakery is planned for the old funeral home property on Highway 63. The Valley Butchery is planning to expand. Stellar 181 Taphouse intends to open this summer once the COVID restrictions are eased. Kwik Trip will be building on the old BP station at the corner of Highway 63 & 16. Additionally, the EDA currently is working with several businesses to relocate to Spring Valley.

Lastly, the Spring Valley EDA believes that small businesses are an essential part of our growing community. Investment in these businesses represents a long-term investment in the Spring Valley community.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful and successful 2021,
Chris Hahn,
EDA Director, City of Spring Valley, MN

Spring Valley businesses affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for Small Business Relief Grants of up to $2,000 beginning, Friday, September 11, 2020. The Spring Valley EDA, with the support from the City Council, has made $20,000 of the City’s CARES Act funding available to assist Spring Valley small businesses with COVID-19 related expenses.

“The Spring Valley EDA and the Spring Valley City Council continue to explore ways to get financial assistance to our small businesses as they continue to adapt to the challenges of 2020,” said Chris Hahn, EDA Director for Spring Valley.

In addition to demonstrating a COVID-19-related loss since March 1, 2020, businesses wishing to apply must have under 50 employees, be a for-profit business physically located in Spring Valley, MN, be registered and in good standing with the State of MN, and have applicable licenses and taxes current.

Eligible business expenses covered by these grants include rent, mortgage, utility payments, payments to suppliers, costs associated with re-opening, installing buffers or barriers, and costs associated with adapting to COVID-19-related operating restrictions. Businesses that received CARES Act funding from any other sources must not use the Spring Valley Relief Grant money for the same purpose.

Applications can be downloaded here or available to pick up at City Hall at 201 South Broadway, Spring Valley, MN 55975. Completed applications should be emailed to chris.hahn@cedausa.com or dropped off at City Hall, Attn: EDA

A review of applications by the Spring Valley EDA is scheduled for October 1, 2020, with awards being distributed mid-October. Questions should be directed to Chris Hahn, Spring Valley EDA Director, via email at chris.hahn@cedausa.com or by calling 612-327-9729.

Small Businesses in Spring Valley interested in applying can learn more about the Federal and State CARES Act fund guidelines at home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares.