First Impressions, a committee of Greater Jobs Inc., is ready to

begin construction for the first of three entrance signs for Albert Lea.

The two year project ran into a few problems in the planning stages as MN-DOT needed to okay each of the sites for driving visibility and location, but as of now the first two sites are ready to begin.

The first, which was completely funded by Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, will be located next to their headquarters at County Road 46 and I-35.

The second, which was funded by both Greater Jobs and other local businesses, is to be located at Bridge Avenue and I-90. The third, which will be located somewhere on South Broadway near I-35, has yet to be funded.

&uot;We are looking for community donations for the third sign,&uot; said Jean Eaton, chairwoman of First Impressions Committee. &uot;We’re hopeful that when the first two signs are finished the public will think they are beautiful and they will send in donations.&uot;

All three projects were commissioned to Larson Contracting, and according to Doug Conn, a contractor with the company, the first two should be underway sometime within the next few weeks and will take about three weeks to complete.

This is the first of eight projects the First Impressions committee has tentatively planned for the beautification of the city.

&uot;We want to be welcoming and friendly,&uot; said Eaton. &uot;We want something that will help our community to keep business and bring more into Albert Lea.&uot;