Forward progress is being made in defederalizing certain funds that have been sitting in the coffers of the Murray County Economic Development Authority for years, according to Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator Bryan Stading.
During the Murray County Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, Stading received approval on a resolution designating the EDA as a Local Development Organization (LDO), which is one of the first steps in defederalizing the funds.
“This is not the easiest process,” Stading said, after explaining to commissioners how the EDA ended up in possession of the funds.
The money, which started out federal from a Community Development Block Grant, was funneled into Minnesota Investment Funds (MIF) many years ago. It was then loaned to Monogram Meats through the EDA as gap financing during one of Monogram’s expansions. As payments came back to the county, the funds had to be kept in a separate account, due to the state and federal backing.
But the funds come with serious constraints. To be loaned back out, the business that used the financing would have to have an element of manufacturing and result in job creation. The guidelines are vague and lack updating since 2015.
“Most small communities can’t figure out how to use it,” Stading said. “They give up.”
There are still many hoops the county has to jump through before the funds are defederalized, but when the process is complete, a wider range of use will be available. According to Stading, the funds and annual interest are close to $483,000.
Commissioners heard a monthly update from Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers, who said the first two months of 2026 were positive for MCMC. Courtney Bonnstetter has been hired as the next Director of Nursing. A great part of the story, Schryvers said, is that Bonnstetter was one of the first CNA interns at MCMC years ago.
The ambulance service has added two staff positions, both of which have been filled. Schryvers said notices were sent out regarding a business email compromise incident that occurred in August 2025.
Patient demand for services continues to be strong across the board, he said. MCMC is still struggling to get Medicare payments.
Commissioners approved the purchase of new dining room chairs and flooring for Sunrise Terrace, approved liquor licenses and approved subordinate requests for two septic liens.
Two interim use permits were approved for Muecke Sand & Gravel, as was a conditional use permit for Red Rock Rural Water (RRRW).
RRRW General Manager Dominic Jones updated the commissioners on upcoming phases of their new project. He said there are 67 new members around Lake Sarah and some on Pommier Lane. Services should start there within a month or so. There are three more phases to the project, including a main line bid coming up this year, remodification of the new treatment plant and some archeological studies that need to be completed.
Commissioners approved sending a letter of support to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for the Lake Wilson Solar Energy Project. Because Xcel Energy indicated they wanted bigger batteries at the site, a request has been made to the PUC to separate the permits for solar and batteries.
