Albert Lea, Minnesota

of the issues with algae that has taken over, so the lake is more of a destination again. We’ve secured about $7.5 million from the State of Minnesota to help us with that project. In addition, we voted for a .5 percent sales tax in our community in 2005, with an 80 percent approval rating. Ten years later, we voted it in again with a 72 percent approval. “We just finished reclaiming our historic downtown; investing about $4.5 million to revitalize the streetscape and make it a more inviting environment for people. We’ve seen a dramatic increase in activity down there – over $3 million of private investment in the downtown since we finished that streetscape, which has resulted in 12 brand new businesses coming to pictured Fishing on Fountain Lake - photo taken at Edgewater Park. Photo by Teresa Kauffmann