EDA receives CTE and tiny homes update
CTE Center upgrades from the 3M Community Impact Future Makers Lab classroom transformation project will be showcased in November. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Progress for the Tiny Homes Project on the Corner of 13th South Street and 1305-1315 S. Minnesota Street. Photo by Dylan Jackson
CTE Center upgrades from the 3M Community Impact Future Makers Lab classroom transformation project will be showcased in November. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Progress for the Tiny Homes Project on the Corner of 13th South Street and 1305-1315 S. Minnesota Street. Photo by Dylan Jackson
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NEW ULM – The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center was selected for the 3M Community Impact Future Makers Lab classroom transformation project.
News of the award was announced Tuesday during the Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting.
Only four communities are selected each year for this project.
The $300,000 put forward will help continue the CTE Center's goal of introducing a variety of trades skills through a hands-on learning environment.
The labs currently under construction at the CTE Center thanks to the project will allow the Intro to Trades class, which has been held at the high school, to move to the CTE Center.
"It's scheduled for a grand opening in November and the word is that the CEO of 3M is actually going to come to the opening," New Ulm Business Resource Innovation Center (NUBRIC) CEO Steve Brown said.
He also gave an update to the Tiny Homes project. Foundation for the development began in July on the Corner of 13th South Street and 1305-1315 S. Minnesota Street.
Brown said that construction for framing, along with the first bedroom and kitchen, have started.
He anticipates sheeting to be done by the end of the month.
"[It'll] be something to really see," Brown said, "It's moving along really good."
Adoption of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program's annual budget also occurred.
The program gives aid to low-income families to give them access to affordable housing in the private rental market, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Economic Development Director Heather Bregel reported that the projected $880,818 budget is very similar to last year's budget.
Following the EDA meeting, members reviewed and discussed potential changes to the Multifamily Rental Rehabilitation Loan program during the work session.
As it stands, the program offers up to $50,000 loans, with $150,000 total funds at 2% interest loans for those looking to revamp or create rental units, which assists the New Ulm housing market.
Bregel said that about $48,000 is currently available for loans due to early payoff if anyone is interested.
Following the discussion, the board was in consensus to raise the loan amount from $50,000 to $70,000 per project because the number has been static for a while and costs have continued to rise.
City Manager City Dalton said that the loan was set up to eventually be self-sustaining.
"Probably fiveish years left of actually putting money into it," Dalton said.
Other suggested changes would make the program align with other program changes made during reviews throughout the year.
The board suggested clarifying what credit score is needed. Currently the requirement calls for an acceptable credit score. Bregel said that listing a credit score as 650 or above would clear up confusion.