Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative approved the appropriation of $19,470 to the Newcomer’s Resource Center in its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday.

Friday, September 21, 2001

Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative approved the appropriation of $19,470 to the Newcomer’s Resource Center in its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday.

The center is planned by the non-profit group Community Action to facilitate links to business and human services for the incoming Spanish-speaking population.

The collaborative board had discussed the funding in its last three board meetings but had held over the decision until Thursday.

The board attached conditions for the appropriation, which require the new organization to publicize its services in written form at multiple public locations in the county and to develop its fiscal sustainability. It also specified the funding will be granted only after the center’s application for a state grant is approved.

The increasing number of Hispanic residents underlies the creation of new center.

The Chamber of Commerce has already showed its interest in the project. It established a committee to deal with diversity, and is considering fundraising and listing membership employers for the center’s pay-interpretation service.