Civil Municipal - April 2024

that’s hotels or restaurants, those organizations in our town do a really nice job.” CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS Like many communities in the Upper Midwest, Fairmont faces challenges in creating housing and attracting new jobs, though the wheels are in motion to address both elements, Koppen says. On the workforce front, local government has been strong and supportive, and Koppen’s organization, the Economic Development Authority, is fighting hard, too. Koppen’s organization offers a revolving loan fund to attract new businesses and prop up the existing small businesses in Fairmont. These everyday efforts range from providing financial tools that are otherwise inaccessible to Fairmont business owners to establishing funding for façade repairs on certain storefronts. There are big plans for housing, too. Koppen says the city has teamed up with the Fairmont School District to convert acres of school-owned property into a new 20-lot housing development called “Whitetail Ridge.” Koppen notes the project is nearly complete and that developers are exploring plans to build a few more twin homes. GROWTH ON THE HORIZON IN 2024 Three or four years ago, Fairmont’s downtown had several vacancies, Koppen says, but there’s been a resurgence of late. Local business owners have independently fixed up their buildings or engaged with the Economic Development Authority for funding. And as the area has brightened up, new businesses have moved in, like a chain reaction. “You’re hard pressed to find a vacancy downtown right now, which is a great and fun thing to see,” beams Koppen. Right now, Koppen’s organization is emphasizing the support of existing business pillars, like agriculture and manufacturing, for example. There’s an expectation that the revamped downtown core, United Hospital District (Blue Earth) (507) 526-7388 | 515 S. Moore St. Blue Earth, MN United Hospital District (Fairmont) (507) 238-1287 | 1950 Center Creek Dr. Fairmont, MN OUR FAMILY TAKING CARE OF YOURS UHD.ORG 85 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04 FAIRMONT, MN