Economic Development Authority

The EDA works to advance the economic development of the City. In 1992, the Lanesboro City Council established an Economic Development Authority (EDA). The City had a desire to encourage, attract, promote and develop industry and commerce within the city for the prevention of unemployment and to provide for increased economic opportunity for the citizens of the City. Therefore, the City established the EDA to plan, promote and develop a program for the economic development of the City.

Board Members:

Kathryn Wade

Thomas Pursell

Joe Goetzke

Michael Boho

Linda Tacke

EDA Administration:

Cathy Enerson – Director

Mitchell Walbridge – Treasurer & Secretary

Regular meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 10:45 a.m. in the Lanesboro Community Center, lower level meeting room. Any additional meetings will be posted on the city calendar.

Duties of the EDA are as follows:

To confer with and advise the City Council and Planning Commission on all matters concerning the industrial and commercial development of the City.
To publicize, with the consent of the Council, the industrial and commercial advantages and opportunities of the City.
To collect data and information as to the type of industries and commerce best suited for the City.
To periodically survey the overall condition of the City from the standpoint of determining whether the City is a healthy environment for industry and to determine the general receptiveness of the city, or any portion thereof, to a particular type of industry.
To publicize information as to the general advantages of industrial and commercial development in the community.
To cooperate with all industries and businesses in the City and in the solution of any City related problems which they may have, and to encourage the expansion, development and management of such industries and business so as to promote the general welfare of the City.
To coordinate city-wide in the undertaking of necessary surveys and studies in the furtherance of commercial and industrial development.
To aid the City Council and Planning Commission in the proper zoning and orderly development of areas suitable for industrial and commercial development.
To develop, compile, coordinate and publicize information such as, but not limited to, the following:
- Existing industrial and commercial concerns within the city
- Available industrial and commercial sites
- Available buildings for industrial and commercial operations
- Transportation facilities
- Electric power available
- Fuels available for industrial and commercial use
- Sewage disposal facilities
- Water supply facilities
- Community facilities such as fire, police & educational
- Recreational facilities
- Going wage rates in the city for the trades, skilled and semi-skilled and white collar workers
- Availability of labor
- General community and regional attitudes toward industrial and commercial expansion, development and attraction
- Programs of communities in regards to industrial and commercial expansion, development and attraction
To recommend to the City Council and Planning Commission policies and particular actions in regards to industrial and commercial expansion development and attractions.
To use the facilities of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development and use the facilities of other governmental agencies, State and Federal, as indicated in the accomplishment of the Commission’s objectives.
To cooperate and coordinate with the local Chamber of Commerce and local lending institutions in defining available property and assembling financing packages for commercial and industrial prospects.

Short-Term Business Interruption Loan Program:

At times construction, storms, and pandemics hit our rural communities. To be proactive to these business interruptions the EDA, in 2022, created a short-term business interruption loan program, you can learn more below.
The purpose of the Short-Term Business Interruption Loan Program is to assist existing businesses with their immediate cash flow needs in response to the adverse effects of unforeseen business interruptions as well as construction interruptions to their normal Lanesboro business activities.

Lanesboro Revolving Loan Fund:

Lanesboro Winter Tourism Report:

Lanesboro’s LEAN (Lanesboro Entrepreneurial Action Network) was created as a sub-group of the EDA. The group meets quarterly, and it’s purpose is to support entrepreneurs, share resources with the business community, and assist with issues affecting businesses. The current chair is Michael Seiler, owner of Eye Prize Marketing. Do you want to share your talents? LEAN is looking for volunteers to give one hour/month and to meet quarterly. If you are interested in sharing your skills to help the business community and economic vitality of Lanesboro while having fun, please fill out the electronic form and a LEAN member will contact you.