Menno Area Development Corporation

November 18, 2008

 The Menno Area Development Corporation held their regular meeting November 18, 2008 at the Open Door Café with the following present: Peggy Thranum, Bill Headley, Teresa Anderson, Nancy Larsen, Larry Tolzin, Dale Weiss, Alice Hagge, Calvin Hagge, Arlene Bertsch, Dorothy Harnisch, Marsha Schelske, Shannon Herrboldt, Kenneth Bertsch, Bruce Anderson, Kevin Edelman, Connie Knodel, Donna Zeeb, Gary Schelske and Lee Friesen.

President Dale Weiss called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.

Marsha Schelske moved to approve the agenda with the addition of Sell Lot. Shannon Herrboldt seconded; motion carried.

Larry Tolzin moved to approve the minutes. Donna Zeeb seconded; motion carried.

Gary Schelske moved to approve the finance report. Ken Bertsch seconded; motion carried.

SEFT REPORT: Nancy Larsen’s activities for the month included the Glacial Lakes Dakota Rising entrepreneur Fair at Ft. Sisseton, Enterprise Institute’s Innovation Expo in Sioux Falls and updating the SEFP web site at www.sefp.com.  Work is being done on a DVD to use as a marketing tool. She gave us a packet of papers to fill out containing economic development criteria needed  before enticing  a new company to move to your city.

BAND DAY: Tolzin reported button sales were up this year. He met with the school to discuss changes to be made for next year.

WELCOME WAGON: Teresa Anderson will contact businesses to see if they wish to have items included in a welcome bag to be given to newcomers to the community. She discussed doing a coupon book to get people into the businesses.

BUSINESS: A test page for the re-design of the web page was passed around. No comments were shared.

Lee Friesen discussed having a revolving loan fund. Someone who works with financials would have to be in charge. Anyone meeting criteria that are laid out as part of the application process would be eligible for a loan.

A Christmas lighting contest was discussed. Lee Friesen moved to appoint a committee of three to come up with ideas to draw people to town for shopping in conjunction with the lighting contest. Menno “Money” will be used for prizes. Teresa Anderson seconded; motion carried. Tolzin, Weiss and Thranum were appointed.

Weiss was approached about selling a small portion of the lots on Fifth Street. The consensus of the group was not to sell at this time unless the purchaser plans to create or expand a business.

Teresa Anderson moved to hold our next meeting at 12 noon at the Open Door Café on December 16. Dorothy Harnisch seconded; all in favor.

Dorothy Harnisch stated there are no houses to rent in Menno. Marvin Schwitzer’s house is for sale and will be added to the housing list.

Bruce Anderson moved to adjoin at 1:05 p.m. Larry Tolzin seconded; motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Thranum, Secretary