EDA July Meeting Summary

Kurk Kramer, Economic Development Authority Coordinator

The EDA Board met on Tuesday, July 22.

In Old Business I updated the Board on the status of the 108 West Main Street Building, the old city hall next to Veteran’s Park. There has been renewed interest this this property and I reported to the Board that I have done a number of recent showings and responded to inquiries on it. There has been no activity or action taken on the 132 East Main Street Building, former 14 China Restaurant, by the owner after receiving a warrant for cleaning up and repairing the property a couple months ago.

In the New Business of the meeting, the Board was presented with information on Community Early Childcare Needs from Jeff Andrews, President of the Business of Child Care. His presentation provided information and a summary of the project “Child Care House” that his company and team is working on with the City of Mapleton. He shared information and answered questions. The Board is planning a trip to Mapleton to discuss with those involved and would like to move forward with the next steps in possibly getting started on a similar project here in Sleepy Eye. I presented to the Board for their information from City Attorney, Allisa Groen, regarding the letter filed with the Secretary of State and submitted to the Minnesota Attorney General regarding the intent to dissolve the business Little Sprouts Learning Center, Inc.

The Yard of the Month contest has concluded for the 2025 summer months here in Sleepy Eye. Nominations and voting took place for August and the winner for the Month of August is Mike and Amy Mages, 813 6th Avenue NE. Congratulations!

Rehab work on the concrete and landscaping continues at the Chief Monument site next to Sleepy Eye Museum. Thanks goes out to Michael Sprenger for the landscaping work, and to Harry Wurtzberger for the concrete work. Final steps will soon be accomplished on the landscaping and then the repainting of the iron fence around the property. Two new iron benches as well as trash receptacles will be added as well. This project was funded through an AARP Grant