The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement reminding the business community about a special 
program being offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Late last year DEED launched a $97 million program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative, or the SSBCI. The Automation Loan Participation Program is the fifth program so far announced as part of the new SSBCI initiative
This program provides companion loans from DEED to cover financing gaps and expand financing opportunities for businesses purchasing machinery, equipment, or software to increase automation and productivity. DEED loans through the new program need to be made in conjunction with private financing.
Industries eligible for these loans include manufacturing, distribution, technology and warehousing. The borrowing company must be located in Minnesota and must have fewer than 500 employees. The loan amounts will not exceed $500,000, they will be made at a 1% interest rate for 5-7 years based on the life of the asset. Payments may be deferred by 6-12 months. The loan may not be used for the same purpose as any federally guaranteed private financing being used for the project.
Other programs within the SSBCI include the Growth Loan Fund, providing direct loans to innovative seed-and early-stage technology businesses, the Minnesota Loan Guarantee Program, which offers an 80% guarantee on qualified loans made by enrolled institutions, and the Direct Investment and Multi-Fund Investment Programs, which are two venture capital programs offered by the University of Minnesota investing in Minnesota-based early-stage businesses in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food technology, climate technology, life sciences, software, and technology sectors.
Additional details about this program – plus many other resources for businesses – can be found on the new Small Business Hub of the Chamber of Commerce website.
City Horticulturist helping to keep Emerald Ash Borer out of Northfield
With more snow on the ground than we have seen in years, most people are not giving a lot of thought to their 
gardens, or even their trees, just yet. However, Northfield’s new city Horticulturist Shelley Evanson is spending the winter making plans for the next season.
For years, the plants and flowers around Northfield, and particularly around Bridge Square and the Riverwalk, have been cared for by Judy Code and the Northfield Garden Club. However, in 2021, the city recognized that those volunteers were largely the same people year after year, and eventually they would be unable to help anymore. As a proactive measure, the city added a horticulturist position at the beginning of last year, and Evanson was brought on in March.
Mayor Rhonda Pownell, who has been a vocal supporter of better care for the city’s parks, said having a specialist like Evanson on city staff pays dividends throughout the year.
“Taking care of our city in this way, is one of the first ways that we have to make an impression on people as they’re coming and visiting our community. And we want our community to be well taken care of. There’s a lot of work that really goes into caring for the public land.”
Evanson said the majority of her work was in the downtown area, caring for the flowers and plants that are put out to beautify the city. She also visits several parks every day that have planters or other plants that require attention. Working with the Streets and Parks Department, she oversees more of the daily maintenance, seeing that plants are watered and identifying any issues that might require her attention.
Another of her responsibilities is caring for the more than 12,000 trees on the public land in Northfield. The city of Northfield has received two grants to help care for those trees. One in particular, a grant from the DNR, has allowed the city to work to prevent an Emerald Ash Borer infestation. While the insect has not been found in Northfield to this point, Evanson said the city is taking steps to keep it at bay.
“With the DNR grant, we removed 100 ash trees last summer and replaced them with trees to help diversify the canopy. We’re trying to prevent some of the insect and disease issues that might happen and then we also need to make sure the right tree is planted in the right location.”
While the members of the Garden Club still do quite a bit of volunteer work, Evanson said there is always room for help, and mentioned the Adopt-a-Park program that is good for families or groups. For more information visit the Northfield City website.
Community invited to Viking Terrace fundraiser on Sunday
The Viking Terrace Residents Board is inviting the community to a celebration of Candlemas this Sunday. 
Candlemas, also known as The Feast of the Presentation, is one of the oldest celebrations of the Christian Faith. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple, and as it is always celebrated 40 days after Christmas, is seen by many as the end of the Christmas season.
Organizers say, as this is a feast celebration, there will be quite a bit of food, including tamales, soup, desserts and Mexican hot chocolate.
The event will also be a fundraiser for the Viking Terrace Residents Board and their emergency fund. The association was formed last year in reaction to the treatment residents were receiving at the hands of the company that assumed ownership and management of the park, Lakeshore Properties. The emergency fund has been established to help residents avoid eviction in times of distress
The event will be held in the lower level of Emmaus Church, from 5:30 – 6:30 on Sunday evening. The event is free and open to the public. Offerings for the dinner, and donations for the Residents Association will be gladly accepted.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
[recent_post_carousel slides_to_show=”1″ limit=”5″ slides_to_scroll=”1″ category=”10″ media_size=”medium” dots=”false” show_read_more=”false”]
