NEW ULM — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) will help fund the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation (NUEDC) Executive Director position for at least one year.

The EDA board on Tuesday approved a request from NUEDC to fund a portion of the executive director position up to $50,000.

This request came before the board in October but was tabled until more information was provided by the NUEDC.

NUEDC previously had a coordinator. Brian Tohal served as the NUEDC coordinator, but the position was eliminated three years ago. Tohal’s coordinator position was partially funded by the City of New Ulm for $50,000. However, the city decided to cut this payment in 2017 in favor of hiring a new Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director.

Chris Dalton was initially hired as the Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director, but after the resignation of former City Manager Brian Gramentz, Dalton was promoted to City Manager. Audra Shaneman was hired to take over as Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director, but earlier this year the city council discussed cutting the Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director position at the end of this year to reduce the city’s budget. In response, Shaneman resigned last month.

Throughout this turnover, NUEDC has had no coordinator or executive director.

NUEDC president Shannon Hillesheim said no one is currently driving NUEDC and they feel it vital to have a person to handle strategic priorities. This person’s sole purpose would be to focus on economic development.

NUEDC provided the board with a job description for the executive director position and other information.

The new hire would be the point person for NUEDC. The executive director could coordinate efforts towards economic development between the City, Chamber and NUEDC.

The overall purpose of the executive director would be to plan, organize, and implement an economic development program to promote the growth and development of New Ulm’s economic base. The executive director would assist in the retention and expansion of existing businesses, seeks out new businesses for the City, and seek grants and other funding sources to accomplish the program of work.

The position would report to the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation (NUEDC) Board of Directors.

Hillesheim said the funding request only covers a portion of the position’s cost. The executive director would be contracted for one year and further employment would be considered upon completion of predetermined objectives set by NUEDC.

EDA board member Susan Fix said when Tohal served as coordinator, she appreciated receiving reports from him on NUEDC activities. It is expected the new executive director would also report back.

Mayor Terry Sveine supported the new position. Sveine previously worked at the New Ulm Area Chamber and saw Tohal working hard in the former coordinator position.

“I have no reason to think a new person wouldn’t do the same,” Sveine said.

Board member Andrea Boettger said it was worth exploring because NUEDC had been without a leader for some time.

EDA member Jessica Janni said this position aligned with the board and was willing to support the position for a year. She made a motion to approve the request to fund a portion of the NUEDC Executive Director position, with a second from Fix.

The motion passed with Janni, Fix and Boettger voting in favor. Board members Mark Petersen and Daniel Braam abstained from the vote. Petersen is a current NUEDC board member and Braam is a former NUEDC board member. Les Schultz was absent from the meeting.

——–

The EDA approved an additional funding request from the Career Technical Education (CTE) Center. In September the board approved an initial matching request of $25,000. The CTE Center Capital Campaign Committee has received a total of $125,000 in donations and is asking if the EDA would increase their matching amount to assist with purchasing additional industry-standard equipment for the CTE. This new request is $25,000 for a total EDA grant of $50,000.

The New Ulm Public Schools is establishing a regional CTE Center. The Center provides students and adults with education in the areas of manufacturing, machining, construction, automotive repair, small gas engines and auto body repair. The Center provides hands-on learning and provides opportunities for adults who may be considering a career change.

The board agreed the CTE was a regional benefit and was willing to further support the capital campaign. The board indicated they would be willing to provide additional support next year if needed.

——–

The EDA is preparing for another comprehensive community housing study. The board authorized a request for a proposal to conduct the housing study.

The most recent housing study was completed in 2017. An earlier study was done in 2012.

Housing Coordinator Heather Bregel said these studies are typically done every five to seven years and are used by several sectors in the community as sources for growth trends and demographic characteristics, as well as demand for different types of real estate developments.

The study is estimated at $20,000 and is part of the 2022 EDA budget.

RFPs received will be presented to the EDA for approval in January 2022.