The Windom Police Department reported on Wednesday, January 12th–
- at 6:38pm officers were called to Expressway for a domestic disturbance. After Investigation, the parties were separated for the evening.
- at 8:32 pm officers arrested a 39 year old male from Windom on an arrest warrant out of Cottonwood County for violating a trespass notice.
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The City of Mountain Lake has submitted an application for a Minnesota Housing Workforce Housing Development Program grant in the amount of $610,000. The total project cost is estimated to be $2.4 million dollars to construct 4 twin homes at the EDA owned Lakeview Estates Subdivision. The remaining $1,790,000 will be paid for by the city through general obligation tax abatement bonds. Rental income will be sufficient to repay the bonds. Initial projected rent is $1,170 per month. The twin homes will be approximately 1,100 sq. ft., 2 bedrooms, bath and ½ with 2 car stall garages. If the grant is approved, construction could start mid-summer. The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is assisting the city in grant writing and administration of the program. The intent of the grant program is to assist the City of Mountain Lake construct new workforce housing to meet local housing demands that will help Mountain Lake employers attract workers to open positions. The City should know within 2 months if the grant is approved or denied.
And on another note- The City of Mountain Lake has been invited to submit a full grant application for $1,121,250 to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Small Cities Development Program. The grant deadline is March 11th. If the city’s grant application is approved as many as 30 single family and rental property owners may be eligible for a grant up to $25,000 to fix-up their homes and rental units. 5 commercial property rehabilitations are also included in the city’s grant application. Eligible repairs include structural repairs, weatherization, new HVAC, handicapped accessibility, health and safety code improvements, and lead paint removal. Homeowners and renters must meet household low-to-moderate income criteria to be eligible. The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is assisting the city in grant writing and administration of the program.
For more information on either grant application, contact Mountain Lake Community Development Director Rob Anderson at 507-427-2999.
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The Windom Economic Development Authority held their first meeting of 2022 on January 10th. According to Drew Hage, Development Director- Discussion was held on selecting a developer for Market Rate Apartment Project in the proposed South Cottonwood Lake Subdivision. A decision will be made at the next meeting on February 14th. The Board is Finalizing Details for the purchase agreement for the North Windom Industrial Park and Cemstone Property south of Cottonwood Lake this should close in the next month or two. The EDA applied for a $499,000 forgivable loan with Minnesota Housing for the proposed 48 unit- market Rate Housing project with HyLife Foods Windom on the EDA Spec Building Property. The Board approved a Façade Improvement Forgivable Loan for Hammers Furniture and Flooring. According to Hage, two businesses installed new signs on the downtown square this week that benefited from this façade improvement program. To hear an in-depth discussion on the Housing situation in Windom listen in today at 10am to Kaleidoscope as Hage explains where we are and what steps are being taken to bring more housing opportunities to Windom.
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Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that Navient, known as one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers, will provide relief totaling $1.85 billion, including $14 million to Minnesota students, to resolve allegations of widespread unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices and abuses in originating predatory student loans.
This settlement, joined by a coalition of 39 attorneys general, resolves claims that since 2009, despite representing that it would help borrowers find the best repayment options for them, Navient steered struggling student loan borrowers into costly long-term forbearances instead of counseling them about the benefits of more affordable income-driven repayment plans. The Settlement includes Significant Changes to Servicing and Lending Practices; $1.7 billion in debt cancellation and $95 million in restitution nationwide; and Additional Monetary payments Minnesota student loan borrowers will receive over $14 million in total financial relief.
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The Cottonwood County Historical Society will host an Opening Show of the Give it Your Best Shot photo exhibit in the Remick Gallery on Sunday January 15th from 2 to 4pm. This exhibit is a first of the year photography show focusing on Cottonwood County Roads. Light refreshments will be served and admission is free. The exhibit will run through March 19th and will be open to the public during regular business hours at the Museum. The pictures submitted are by local photographers and the exhibit is sponsored by the Robert & Helen Remick Endowment. The Cottonwood County Historical Society encourages the public to stop by and see the exhibit and vote on their favorite shot.
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Meetings coming up this next week include:
The Murray County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday January 18th at 8:30am at The Murray County Government Center which is open to the public.
Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners Meeting, Tuesday January 18th at 9am at the Cottonwood County Courthouse
Jackson County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting and the Drainage Authority Regular Meeting will be Tuesday January 18th at 9 am at the Jackson County Resource Center Cafeteria.
The Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce will meet on Tuesday January 18th at Noon at the Mt Lake City Hall.
Windom City Council Meeting will meet at 6:30pm on January 18th at City Hall in the Council Chambers.
Mountain Lake City Council Meeting, Tuesday January 18th at 6:30pm at the Mountain Lake City Hall
Red Rock Central School District Board of Education will meet Wednesday January 19th at 5:30 in Lamberton.