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Spotlight award shines on the Buzz Stop

EDA Board discusses possibility of awarding future childcare grants

By Kevin Mertens - Staff Writer | Sep 25, 2022

Buzz Stop co-owner Amanda Johnson, middle, receives the County Economic Development Authority Business Spotlight Award from EDA specialist Jennifer Howard, left, and board member John Herman, right.

The Buzz Stop in Winnebago was the recipient of the September 2022 Faribault County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Business Spotlight Award. Co-owner Amanda Johnson was on hand to receive the award when the County EDA held their September meeting at the establishment.

“It really was a complete accident that Gary (Buzz) Osborn and I became owners,” Johnson explained. “I am a realtor with One Realty and I was approached by the former owner when she was ready to sell her business. Long story short is Gary and I ended up purchasing the business.”

After buying the bar, they decided to make a few changes.

“We got rid of the booths along the north wall and put tables in instead,” Johnson said. “We did some painting, cleaned and resealed the floors and did some other general cleaning.”

Currently Johnson says they offer pizza and cheese bread on the menu for food.

“We hope to do more later,” she commented. “We would like to offer burgers.”

She notes she has been surprised by how much work it takes to manage the business.

“But, we are so happy to be here,” Johnson said. “The community has been so supportive.”

During the business meeting, County EDA specialist Annie Nichols provided an update on the installation of fiber optic in the county.

“Frost and Delavan have fiber up to their houses,” Nichols reported. “Elmore is currently pulling lines and Bricelyn will be next.”

EDA specialist Jennifer Howard informed the board seven manufacturers have agreed to use the EDA Facebook post.

“Utilizing the Made in Faribault County Facebook page allows the participating companies to be highlighted with their business logo and a brief description of their company,” Howard explained.

Howard also reminded the board the University of Minnesota Extension and Vision One Performance Group is offering a five-week succession planning class for businesses.

“The cost will be $575,” Howard said. “If the fees pose a hardship for someone, they should contact the EDA. It may be possible for the EDA to fund scholarships to the program with administrative funds from the Broadband Grant.”

The EDA also discussed an idea brought up from their last meeting in July.

“We have started putting together some parameters for childcare forgivable loans,” Howard explained. “We have defined some of the ways the funds can be used and what the terms of the loans would be.”

The board discussed various ideas and offered input and directed Howard to come back with a proposal at the next meeting.

The money to fund the grants would come from the administrative funds provided by the Broadband Grant.

The EDA also set Tuesday, Oct. 18, as the tentative date for an informational session at the Blue Earth Ag Center which will focus on clean energy.

Guest speakers from PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) will be on hand to show how their financing tool may be used to assist commercial, industrial and agri-business with improvements that substantially increase energy efficiency.

“The program allows businesses to make these fixture improvements without the up-front capital outlay,” Nichols explained. “Costs for the improvements are paid back through a special assessment on their taxes. The increase in property taxes is offset by the decrease in energy costs so that the business sees no change in the bottom line.”

Following the EDA open house which was held in Bricelyn on Aug. 21, the EDA is exploring the possibility of having their next open house in Easton. A date and time is yet to be determined.

The next meeting for the County EDA is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15, and will be held in Frost.