County may partner up with Jobs, Inc.
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Freeborn County commissioners hope that by stimulating business, they will encourage people to move to and stay in Freeborn County, reversing a downward population trend.
Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Freeborn County commissioners hope that by stimulating business, they will encourage people to move to and stay in Freeborn County, reversing a downward population trend.
&uot;I’m hearing from all the small cities that the number of children are dropping, the families are dropping,&uot; said Commissioner Dan Belshan said. &uot;The demographic – it’s not a pretty picture.&uot;
The board of commissioners met with Greater Jobs Inc. board members, Albert Lea Mayor Bob Haukoos and other Freeborn County staff members Tuesday to discuss a possible partnership with Greater Jobs, Inc. to further economic development in the county.
&uot;We thought it would be a good opportunity for us to sit down face-to-face with the entire board to give them our perspective on economic development and hopefully bring about a stronger partnership,&uot; said Pam Bishop, Executive Vice President of Greater Jobs, Inc.
Greater Jobs, Inc. has had an informal arrangement with the county, but never a written contract. A potential agreement could involve county financial investment in Greater Jobs, Inc., or take almost any other form, Bishop said.
&uot;Right now, how the county wants to strengthen our partnership, it’s in their hands,&uot; Bishop said. &uot;Then we sit down and talk about that partnership.&uot;
Bishop would like to see a relationship similar to the one between Greater Jobs, Inc. and the Albert Lea Port Authority.
Sometimes people forget that the city of Albert Lea is in Freeborn County too, she said.
&uot;If there is a project where all three of these could work together for the good of Albert Lea, it would certainly strengthen the smaller communities,&uot; Bishop said.
Funding businesses through Greater Jobs is more of a challenge outside Albert Lea, because some loan programs are only available within the city limits.
&uot;I would strongly encourage you to set up a revolving loan fund,&uot; Bishop said.