Martin County Library
We were glad to see that the Martin County Library re-opened this week. Due to COVID-19, the Library has been open to contactless pickup only since November 23, 2020. They are currently open at 50 percent capacity and also asking patrons to keep to a 30-minute visit.
We wish the Library well and hope they will be increasing the time per visit soon as the Library is a great resource for several citizens who don’t have access to the internet and enjoy researching.
Resident Recruitment
At this week’s Fairmont Economic Development Authority meeting, Linsey Preuss, Fairmont economic development coordinator, reported responses to the Fairmont Area Life Resident Recruitment Campaign. She reported that the ad campaign saw 292,524 impressions, 253 clicks, 2,702 engagements and 258 visits since last reported. We have had two families relocate from the Minneapolis area. We couldn’t agree with her more when she stated, “I would consider that a huge win if
Sentinel Staff Writer
FAIRMONT The Fairmont Economic Development Authority approved five loans Wednesday evening, four of which were directly impacted by COVID and one MicroLoan request.
Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center applied for a $25,000, 0 percent interest loan to assist with the offset of revenue and help pay the expenses as a result of COVID. The business shut down operations down in 2020 due to the governor’s executive orders. Live Fit is in their first year of operation. Collateral will include a blanket UCC filing specifically listing two treadmills and personal guarantees from owners Alex Schliesmann and Jennifer Moeller.
The Blazer Bar and Grill applied for a $25,000, 0 percent interest rate loan to offset the loss of revenue and help pay for expenses. Collateral will be a property owner Mark Atkinson owns located at 931 Albion Avenue along with a personal guarantee from Atkinson.
jbryan@fairmontsentinel.com
FAIRMONT Local businesses continue to seek assistance from the financial impact of COVID, with the Fairmont Economic Development Authority approving three five-year $25,000 loans at zero percent interest on Monday.
FEDA received $670,000 to establish a CARES Act revolving loan fund to help small businesses, those with 50 employees or less, in Martin County. Loans can be used for working capital, payroll, inventory, and utilities. Any money not loaned out after two years must be returned to the federal government, but funds that are used will stay in a local revolving loan fund as loans are repaid.
The loan application from Korte’s Bar & Grill of Welcome indicated the loan proceeds would be used for payroll, lease/mortgage, utilities and to purchase equipment and remodel the interior of the building. Required collateral will be personal guarantees from owners James and Diane Korte and business equipment including a 2012 Dodge Ram.
jbryan@fairmontsentinel.com
FAIRMONT If you have ideas on what would make a great downtown area, there’s a group of people that want to hear from you.
Revitalizing Fairmont’s downtown area has been at the forefront of many recent conversations, and a local group is in the process of collecting public input on the topic over the past few months, most recently with public discussions last month at the Fairmont Opera House.
“We had about 30 participants at the Opera House. We got some great feedback, and we’re actually looking for more feedback,” said Linsey Preuss, Fairmont economic development coordinator.