Submitted photo The Brown County Historical Society received start-up funds for its history day camp program from the New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) Tuesday. The BCHS held the a one day camp last summer, which was well received. Enrolled students were able to explore BCHS museum exhibits. Above, Gabe and Arya Monge played with the fur and track cards as part of the 2022 day camp event.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) agreed to provide start-up funds for the Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) Summer Day Camp program.

The request was for $20,000. It would be used to cover the cost for research, development, purchase of equipment, training, and program oversight.

BCHS Director Kathleen Backer said this was a one-time request to launch the program. The program is intended to be self-sustaining from student enrollment fees.

The summer camp program would provide historic-based education, but it would alleviate some daycare provider needs. Backer said BCHS is aware of the childcare shortage and for several years they have looked into the historic summer day camp.

Last year, BCHS held a one-day camp that was well attended and well received.

1ABacker believed BCHS could host an 11-week day camp program. She previously launched a similar program like this at Midway Village Museum Center in Rockford, Ill. during the 1990s that is still going today.

This program would run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during weekdays and run for 11 weeks in the summer. The day camp would provide a variety of historical programs. Backer described it as holistic with education, exploration, recreation and physical components. Each week the students would take a field trip to some historic location. The Jeffers Petroglyphs were an example of a possible day trip. Historical re-enactors could also be brought in for programs.

EDA board member Les Schultz made the motion to approved the request. He said daycare was a top priority of the EDA and he believed this would help. Board member Jessica Janni seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by the board.

Backer said the day camp could enroll 22 children. BCHS would need to hire more staff before accepting over 22 students.

BCHS would accept enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in the program can contact program coordinator Amy Johnson at 233-2621.

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The EDA authorized an agreement with Wendy Anderson to provide support for local businesses. For the past two years, the EDA had contracted with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for this purpose. The contract ended in 2021.

Anderson was originally the SBDC contract who met with business owners in New Ulm. Housing Coordinator Heather Bregel said they wanted to bring in Anderson because the staff was impressed with her work. The contract with Anderson would be for $25,000 and would include six Zoom training sessions, 54 hours of house client meetings (twice a month) and 72 hours of client follow-up in consultation.

Anderson said she could also provide the EDA with a quarterly report to provide feedback. The hope is Anderson could alert the EDA to any program gaps they could potentially fill. Board Chair Daniel Braam said they wanted to be proactive in assisting businesses.

Schultz made the motion to execute the agreement with a second from Braam. It was unanimously approved.

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Six applications for the Small Business Incentive Grant program were received. Two of the applications have been processed with the other four pending.

Last month, the EDA approved $60,000 for this grant program. The funds would provide six grants of $10,000 for new businesses. With six applications received, all $60,000 is spoken for by new businesses.

Housing Coordinator Heather Bregel said the grants were taken faster than in previous years. Two businesses are planning to apply for the program when additional funding becomes available. The board might wait until 2023 to approve additional funding, but if the waiting list grows longer the board could choose to add funds later.

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Two new EDA members were appointed to the board Tuesday. Tom Berg was appointed to the vacant EDA position and Nicole Black was appointed as a resident board member.