The Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) met on Tuesday at Valley Technology Park.
CHEDA first discussed the Workforce housing development that is currently being built at 1410 Eickhof Boulevard; the board was informed the Crookston EDA’s focus is picking up cabinets, flooring, and paint for the design. This has been an ongoing internal project for the Crookston EDA. “This is a project we’ve had internally. So, we buy a house then sell it,” said executive director of the EDA Karie Kirschbaum. “Then we build another house with that money from the previous sale. So, we can keep the housing stock in Crookston.” With the current state of the housing market, Kirschbaum stated the EDA might go away from that project and invest that money next year into current rentals to keep those establishments intact.
The Crookston EDA also gave updates on the Industrial Park and a tour of the Ag Innovation Campus. “We were joined by the Department of economic development, the Northwest Redevelopment Commission,” said Kirschbaum. “We will be applying for a grant that we are available now for through the USEDA because we were declared a disaster due to the flooding in 2021.” This grant will be used to put infrastructure in Industrial Park in hopes of developing the area.
Washington School has recently had analysis and maintenance done to it, and the Crookston EDA is looking to convert the north wing of the campus into a childcare center. “We know childcare is a driving force in the community right now. To be in our community, people need childcare,” said Kirschbaum. “If CHEDA were to make an offer, we know in our minds the north wing would eventually be a childcare center.” The board explained how the commercial kitchen in Washington can be a valuable resource when thinking about food incubators. Other renovations discussed in that project include adding doors and exits for fire safety regulations.
Other renovations to Washington School discussed by the board were building a community resource center/heritage center on the grounds of the property and twin homes specifically for seniors. “Building twin homes, especially for our seniors with no steps, where they can downsize and have a nice home,” said Kirschbaum. “That will also open up their home for larger families or their families. These homes could be situated on the east side of the property. Now we would have seniors and children and all the multi-generational situations happening on that property.”
CHEDA has applied for a small city redevelopment grant worth $1.4 million. If Crookston EDA is accepted for this grant, it won’t be in action until 2025. This grant would be used to maintain Crookston commercial and apartment buildings.
There is reportedly $100,050 allocated toward the beautification and signage grants. The Crookston EDA has received 20 applicants searching for these grant funds; four have been approved. Kaymee Denault of the EDA claims many applicants have applied for the paint and signage grant. This grant is worth up to $1,000 with no match required. “One of them was Wonderful Life Boots, so stop by and see them,” said Denault. “They repainted their whole building and put-up lighting as well.” Applications for the remaining grants are still valid to date.
