Economic Development at Work in Northfield

If you've driven up and down Division Street lately-- you may have noticed a lack of "For Lease" signs in the windows of the downtown shops.  Guess what--there aren't any vacant spaces!!!  I moved to Northfield when I was three years old and I never, ever remember a time when there wasn't a vacancy in our downtown.

Other great news:

- Expansions and new hiring are happening in our manufacturing and transportation businesses. 

- The Economic Development Partners (The EDA, The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, The Northfield Downtown Development Corp, and the Northfield Enterprise Center/SPUR) are meeting regularly to strengthen our impact by leveraging our own unique skills, assets, and missions.  One of the outcomes of this has been to reach out to businesses in our community to ask for their input on various economic development and business issues.  We have started with the retailers and are moving on to other industries.  

- The Northfield EDA is hard at work revamping their loan programs and following-up on past loans.  Gap financing for businesses is a critical tool to assist business growth and expansion.

- In May, the Rice County EDA presented a Labor Market Review to the local EDA that helped us all understand the labor market in Northfield and our sourounding communities.  Check it out for yourself at http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/e/EDA-PACKET-03-29-12.pdf. And how does the saying go?  Once we know more- we can do more.

- SPUR Coworking and Business Incubator has been up and running since August.  We have six members, and one of our members needs to hire an employee to assist her; her business is growing rapidly. In addition, we hosted Senator Al Franken at SPUR two weeks ago.  He was interested in learning more about how Northfield is investing in businesses and jobs.  

- Three Northfield businesses have received $5,000 Microgrants to help their businesses grow.  Northfield is very lucky to have such a program for existing businesses.  Most communities the size of Northfield do not make an investment in businesses like this.  It should be celebrated and it is very exciting to be able to offer this as a way to assist entrepreneurs.

- There has been significant staff changes in the last year in the economic development arena.  The City has hired Chris Heineman, an energetic, market focused Community Development Director, and Michelle Merxbauer from the City has been added to the staff for economic development and brings a great amount of focus and information to the EDA Board.  The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce has a new Executive Director in Mary Schmelzer.  Mary has an amazing marketing mind and is focused on business development and growth.  

- And lastly, the Northfield Enterprise Center has seen a 30% increase in individuals and businesses reaching out for assistance in how to start or grow a business.  

As you can see- we have so much to celebrate in Northfield.  Of course, there is still so much more to do- but I can tell you right now that the Economic Development Partners are working hard together to expand jobs, businesses, and growth in our fantastic community.  Hip-Hip-Hooray!