MN State Patrol reported on the 7th at 12:05am a 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada was northbound on Highway 71 when it lost control and rolled in the west ditch at 850th Street in Jackson County. The driver a 22-year-old female of Windom was transported to Jackson Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and roads were reported to be snow and ice. Outside agencies assisting were Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Ambulance.
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The Economic Development Authority of Windom will be meeting today at Noon. The agenda is focused on child care initiatives, redevelopment projects, and industrial park activity. Board members will have a presentation from the Windom Way Forward Committee. Committee representatives are expected to provide an update on the progress of plans for a proposed childcare center in the community. Child care support programs will also be discussed during the meeting. The City of Windom recently received a $20,000 grant from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation for the “Roots to Wings Child Care Provider Program.” The program is designed to help existing in-home child care providers meet state equipment and licensing requirements. Because the grant requires a one-to-one match, the city applied for additional funding through the Robert and Helen Remick Charitable Foundation Trust. The city has now been notified that the Remick Foundation has also awarded a $20,000 grant to provide the required match, fully funding the program. The board will also review matters related to Tax Increment Financing District 1-22, which includes the former Cemstone Concrete plant site redevelopment area. The city previously received a redevelopment grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development totaling $424,905 to demolish the former plant and install street and utility infrastructure. While demolition and infrastructure work have been completed, several planned development projects have not yet been built. If construction is not completed within five years of the March 26, 2021 grant award date, the city may be required to begin semi-annual repayments to the state. The EDA will consider recommending that the City Council adopt an interfund loan resolution allowing the city to reimburse itself for any required repayments using future tax increment revenue from the district. Another item involves a redevelopment agreement with Apollo Development LLC for construction of a market-rate apartment building in the South Cottonwood Lake Subdivision. Although the project deadline had previously been extended due to delays tied to the Cemstone site demolition, officials report that no action has been taken to move the project forward. The EDA may consider authorizing staff to request City Council approval to begin the process of issuing a notice of default and terminating the contract and the board will also discuss a potential lease agreement involving property in the North Windom Industrial Park. The Toro Company has approached the EDA about leasing Lot 5, Block 2, located south of its existing warehouse property, for use as semi-trailer parking to store additional parts.
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The Windom Area School Board of Education will be meeting on tonight at 6:30pm in the Windom City Council Chambers. Meeting can be viewed live at Media SB22 on YouTube.
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Jeffers City Council will meet on tonight, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
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Windom Library Board will be meeting on Tuesday March 10th at 5:05pm at the Library.
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Families in our area are invited to share their ideas to help make our communities stronger. Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services, also called DVHHS, is holding special focus group meetings. These meetings will help leaders learn what families need and how to create a Family Resource Center. Families with children are welcome to attend. The meetings are free, and everyone who comes will get a free meal and a 25-dollar Visa gift card. Remember only one incentive per person. There will be a focus group meeting today from noon to 1:30 at the BARC Library in Windom. And two more chances to attend and give your input tomorrow from noon to 1:30 at the Senior Center in Westbrook. And then in the evening from 5:15 to 6:45 at the Community Center in Mountain Lake. DVHHS says the meetings will help them learn about family needs, challenges, and what services could help families the most. For more information or to sign up, you can contact Family Resource Center consultant Meghan Mohs at mkmohs@gmail.com Or you can find more information on the the Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services Facebook Page ( https://www.facebook.com/dvhhsMN ) along with a QR Code that you can give share your thoughts . DVHHS says they hope families will come and let their voices be heard.
