One of the biggest topics of conversation in Northfield over the past twelve months has been the redevelopment of the Downtown area and how to increase growth that has not yet stagnated but has slowed.
Housing has been a major topic within that conversation. Just like the rest of the country, Northfield has been dealing with a housing shortage for many years. A housing shortage affects all facets of life in a city the size of Northfield. A shortage increases housing costs, which leads to lower consumption of goods and services. It leads to declining enrollment in a school district, which means less funding from the state. It impairs the growth of new industry because there is nowhere to house workers, which, in turn, shifts more of the city’s tax burden onto residential property taxes. It also leads to higher property values, which in turn can make it still more difficult for people to move to Northfield. Put simply, a housing shortage can be the trigger for a depressed economy.
The City of Northfield takes this problem extremely seriously and in recent years has taken measures to increase housing construction, and to make buying a house easier. There are first-time home buyers’ incentives, and a residential rehab program. The city has encouraged the construction of affordable housing and used tax increment financing as an incentive for all new developments to include affordable units. It has worked with Habitat for Humanity, Three Rivers Community Action, Community Action Center and other organizations on affordable housing projects.
But there are still gaps that must be filled.
Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell pointed out that there is a lack of starter homes in Northfield, which can keep young families from moving to town. Director of Community Development Jake Reilly said the city is in need of all types of housing so anyone who wants to move here can do so.
“It’s not about just building homes that are affordable, like at a $200,000.00 price point, but we need the right type of housing for anyone who wants to live here. There’s been lots of documentation out there that suggests that supply and demand work, and in housing you supply is the thing you need to keep churning out, and we haven’t done that.”
Housing Coordinator Melissa Hanson estimated the city vacancy rate for rental units is around 2.5%, which is 4-5% below a healthy rate. Reilly said the housing supply, which is measured by how quickly the inventory of houses currently on the market would sell, is 2-3 months, where a healthy community will have a 6-8 month supply.
While City Staff, the Housing & Redevelopment Authority, and the Northfield Planning Commission are all searching for answers, Mayor Pownell said she would like to see the city create a Housing Plan with a unifying vision to put everyone on the same page.
“We don’t really have a housing plan like we have an economic development plan. A sort of holistic guide that everyone is working off. We’ve got a strategic plan. We’ve got a comprehensive plan. We’ve had housing studies, but no formally adopted plan.”
Reilly and Hanson both said that housing will be an integral component of the city’s next Comprehensive Plan.
KYMN will ring the bell for Rice County Salvation Army this afternoon
The Rice County Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is in its final few days. County Coordinator Jim Dale said, this year’s goal of $100,000 is in sight if there are enough people willing to staff the kettles and do some bell ringing.
The week prior to Christmas is always when the most money is collected. At the moment, he said, there are many bell ringing shifts available for today, tomorrow and Saturday, and he is hopeful that the community will rally around the Salvation Army to deliver the push they need to reach their goal.
The Rice County Salvation Army works to help people in need through its Social Service programs. Dale said the organization provided assistance to 327 families in Rice County this year. He said they specialize in short term help for moments of crisis.
Dale has often suggested a company, or an organization could take a full day at either of the kettles in Northfield, which are stationed at the Family Fare and CUB Foods grocery stores in Northfield, and staff them with employees or members. He mentioned the Rice County Rivalry, which was a competition between the Rice County Sheriff’s Department, the Faribault Police Department and the Northfield Police Department, and said that Northfield had come out on top this year.
In that same spirit of friendly competition, KYMN Radio has decided to have an intra office contest of its own. This afternoon, the hosts of The Weekly List, my broadcast partner Daniel G. Moir and myself, will be ringing at Family Fare from 4-6pm. Meanwhile, a team of KYMN dignitaries, captained by station owner Jeff Johnson will be at CUB at the same time, working to see which group can raise more money.
Two-hour bell ringing shifts are available today, tomorrow, and Saturday. Anyone wishing to sign up and volunteer should call Jim Dale at 715-733-0575 or visit registertoring.com.
Nominate your favorite Farm Family in Rice County and in Dakota County
Nominations are now open for the Rice County and Dakota County Farm Families of the Year.
According to a statement issued by Rice County, the University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities.
The Farm Family Recognition Program has honored Minnesota farmers since 1979. It is coordinated by the University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
To nominate a family, visit the Rice County website at ricecountymn.gov. Nominations in Rice County will be accepted through Feb. 29.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
