By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
An often overlooked entity in New Richland — the Economic and Development Authority — is reaching out to the public for help.
The EDA is trying to obtain funding for an additional eight-unit town house project and needs $128,000 in pledges by Oct. 31. Of that amount, $83,000 has aready been pledged, $30,000 by the State Bank of New Richland.
The plan, according to NR City Clerk Wayne Billing, is to apply for a Small Cities Development grant from the State of Minnesota, and the pledges should greatly enhance the city’s chances of receiving a grant.
According to Billing, there’s a great need for affordable housing in the community. The Cedar Pointe Town Homes have been filled since 2004, and there’s currently a waiting list of about 35 people.“I think the town needs it,” said Billing. “The last time we built, people who moved in came from the community and put their houses up for sale. So it helps keep things rolling that way.”
Pledges will not be collected until construction begins, according to Billing, who added, “Our goal is to keep rent affordable and increase housing options and provide growth for the city.”
For more information, contact one of the EDA board members: Billing, Tony Martens, Pam Goehring, Myron Schumacher and John Hullopeter. More information is also available at NR City Hall.