TOWER— The newly reconstituted Tower Economic Development Authority moved forward on several fronts following the group’s reorganization last Thursday, including pursuing childcare solutions, Main Street beautification, and a facility for light manufacturing at the city’s industrial park.

After years of inactivity, the city council breathed new life into TEDA by appointing board members from the Tower-Soudan Community Development Corporation to head the organization, along with two council members.

TEDA, on Thursday took up a holdover project from the TSCDC, a city entrance and Main Street beautification proposal that the IRRRB agreed to fund. The $40,000 IRRRB grant, along with city matching dollars and in-kind services, will pay for a new city welcome sign, solar-powered traffic calming signs, Main Street flowers and other plantings, additional crosswalks, and landscape design for a new city welcome park near the civic center.

TEDA established a Main Street Enhancement Committee, led by Joan Broten, to oversee the project. They’ll be issuing a Request for Proposals to generate ideas for the welcome sign. The city council will have input into the decision, along with the TEDA board.

Members of TEDA also made clear their hope to move quickly to develop a manufacturing facility at the city’s industrial park just of Hwy. 135. At least three small manufacturing businesses, including Lamppa Manufacturing, have expressed interest in locating in a new facility there. TEDA and city officials have already met with the IRRRB about the proposal, which could include construction of a facility that could have separate sections for different businesses. TEDA and city officials are set to discuss it again on Monday, Feb. 13, to develop a timeline for the project.

Childcare options

TEDA also formed a committee, which will be led by city council representative Brooke Anderson, to find solutions for the lack of childcare in the community. TEDA and the TSCDC co-sponsored a recent community survey, in which close to 90 percent of the 50-plus respondents indicated that lack of childcare was a significant challenge. More than two-dozen respondents provided contact information to be notified if and when a childcare option becomes available.

TEDA will be exploring solutions on two fronts, first trying to recruit an in-home provider, which would likely be quickest solution. But TEDA members also agreed to pursue the creation of a daycare center, possibly at the elementary school. Troy Swanson, who represents Tower-Soudan on the St. Louis County School Board, said he would contact Superintendent Steve Sallee to discuss possibilities.

Swanson noted that at last summer’s community meeting on declining enrollment in the elementary, several parents had cited the lack of childcare as one of the reasons they had decided to send their children to schools outside the community. Swanson said the school district has a clear interest in solving the issue, since stemming the outflow of open enrollment students would improve the elementary school’s finances.

TEDA members discussed the challenges of opening a childcare center, but they indicated an interest in doing so if no one shows interest in providing care in-home. They discussed the success of Little Beginnings, and plan to meet with the owner, Nancy Reing, as soon as possible to better understand all the requirements and economic challenges of establishing such a center.

Reorganization

The TEDA board named Marshall Helmberger as president, Joan Broten as vice-president, Steve Peterson as treasurer, and Terry Joki-Martin as secretary. TEDA will hold its regular monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with additional meetings as needed. The board set its next meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m., at city hall.