Civil Municipal - June 2024

As the city eyes economic expansion, the focus extends beyond retail. Kim Simonson, Finance Human Resource Director, points out a gap in the local market that presents an opportunity for growth. “One of our main focuses is enhancing our nightlife by attracting restaurateurs to open more evening dining options downtown,” she explains. The current lack of nighttime dining options is seen as a shortfall and a potential catalyst for downtown’s evening economy. City Administrator Brian Grudem elaborates on the broader infrastructural developments that have made Zumbrota more attractive for industrial growth.“We received a $100,000 state grant to install rapid flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety downtown,” says Grudem, indicating immediate steps being taken to enhance livability. More long-term plans are also being worked on. “We’re working on infrastructure that will hopefully attract an industrial park north of town, facilitated by a water looping project that increases our water and sewer capacities,” he adds. Continuing on infrastructure, Grudem details significant investments in local connectivity and transport.“We’re constantly upgrading our roads and have just completed a major project with state aid. Moreover, our telecommunications infrastructure is robust, with ongoing expansions to provide high-speed internet across Zumbrota,” he says. This connectivity is crucial for current residents and attracting remote workers, especially those connected with the nearby Mayo Clinic. ADDRESSING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES As businesses nationwide grapple with workforce shortages, Zumbrota faces similar challenges, particularly intensified by demographic shifts and economic pressures. Finance Human Resource Director Simonson illuminates Zumbrota’s labor shortage, emphasizing its impact on local retail and service sectors. “Like every other place in Minnesota, we’ve felt the pinch, particularly as our baby boomers retired en masse,” she begins. “This was exacerbated by the pandemic, which not only accelerated retirements but also disrupted the entry of younger workers into 140 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06