Caledonia Argus

Coleman staffer talks economic development at meeting in Caledonia

Posted: 7/22/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Boosting Houston Countyís economy was the topic of the day when Susan Kimberly, state legislative director for U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, met with the Caledonia and Houston County Economic Development Authorities (EDAs) on July 18.

The purpose of Kimberlyís Caledonia visit was to obtain input from local officials about what is and isnít working in the local economy. Information she received, she said, would be passed on to Senator Coleman.

The Caledonia and Houston County EDAs identified seven central issues theyíre working with.

>Up first for discussion was energy independence. Jim Hunzeker, Houston County EDA treasurer, noted that area ethanol producers felt slighted by the retraction of support at the state level.

ìWith the tax incentive withdrawn,î Hunzeker said, ìthe renewable fuel people in Houston County view that as a lack of support.î

In addition to looking for better support for ethanol producers, Hunzeker added, the Houston County EDA is interested in exploring the possibility of wind energy systems.

> The Houston County EDA is looking closely at strategies for business incubators, Hunzeker said, and the first step will be to secure the initial funding.

ìWeíre going to need some assistance to get it rolling,î he said.

> Houston County Commissioner Ann Thompson stated that mandating that .08 as the blood-alcohol level at which a driver is considered legally intoxicated, rather than .10, will put more pressure on counties. The court system will have to deal with a greater number of DWI cases, and thereíll be more people in jail.

Hunzeker noted that Houston County will need a new jail if the .08 limit goes into effect, and this will be a burden on taxpayers.

> Houston County is looking to use the local airport as a hub for business development, but itís not entirely clear where the funding will come from to accomplish that goal. The Minnesota Department of has indicated that federal funding is available, which the EDA understands to be $450,000 over a three-year period.

Hunzeker noted that, while the EDA views the airport as a starting point for business expansion, the airport is in need of major repairs.

> The Houston County EDA is in the process of exploring the possibility of a bike trail connecting the county with Iowa and Wisconsin, but funding is needed.

Joyce Iverson, Economic Development Coordinator for Houston County and Community Development Director for Caledonia, said that bike trails have made positive economic impacts wherever theyíve been established. Houston County has discussed adding extensions to the Root River Trail, and though some federal funding is available, itís not nearly enough. Planning funds, Iverson noted, in addition to construction funds, would be helpful in getting the project off the ground.

> The general consensus among EDA members was that unfunded federal mandates have an adverse effect on the county. The Clean Water Act is a case in point.

ìOur ground water is the most susceptible to pollution than any other place in the state,î Hunzeker said, and with the Clean Water Act, ìweíre getting hammered.î

Kimberly made clear that unfunded federal mandates are something Senator Coleman does not support. ìYou donít like unfunded federal mandates,î she said, ì(and) neither do we.î

> Medicare reimbursement to ambulance services are considerably lower than the actual cost of service, Klug said, and Caledonia Ambulance is ìcosting more than itís bringing in.î Caledonia is looking at cost-sharing with townships in order to keep the ambulance service running.

Kimberly noted that this issue is ìa very difficult one to crack.î The Dave Durenberger Institute in the Twin Cities is currently trying to find solutions. One piece of legislation has been introduced in Congress that should lead to higher reimbursement.

Kimberly concluded the meeting by stating that, when Senator Coleman was mayor of St. Paul, he ìbrought a vision and a plan to make that vision reality.î With Houston County, ìit isnít weíre going to tell you what that vision should be,î but that whatever direction Houston County decides to take, ìweíll say we can help.î

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