The Murray County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $300,000 EDA loan to Wonder World Preschool, bringing the childcare center within approximately $325,000 of their fundraising goal of $2.1 million to build a new facility.
Through the Murray County EDA, the county has committed $200,000 in forgivable loan funding and now the $300,000 loan, which carries terms of 4 percent interest over a 25-year loan, with payment and interest deferred for three years from date of disbursal. The county will be in first position on the lien.
Board Chair Mark Carlson stated the loan just made sense.
“We’ve already got the $200,000 in forgivable loans,” he said. “With this $300,000 loan and holding the lien, if something doesn’t go right, we own the title to a $2 million building. If we don’t approve this, we’re not going to have recourse for the $200,000 if it fails.”
The motion to approve the loan was passed unanimously, with the added language that the loan was contingent on the project being fully funded.
The Commissioners heard the annual update from Murray County Museum Director Nick Demuth, who reported receiving more than $200,000 in grants in 2025, including a grant of just over $169,000 to repair the turn table at End-O-Line Railroad Park & Museum. End-O-Line had 3,017 visitors over the past year – a 14 percent increase from 2024. Between the museum, Sierk Agricultural Building, Wornson Cabin and the Dinehart Holt House, there were 3,244 visitors from 14 states and two other countries.
The museum fulfilled 132 search requests, updated software and was able to purchase 35 reels of microfilm to complete their collection. Bound editions of the Murray County News were received from 1991 – 2025, and other papers were digitized. Thanks to a grant from Nobles Cooperative Electric, they were able to partner with Advantage Archives and make available for free some of the earliest county newspapers, including the Murray County Independent (18931902) and the Southwest Minnesotian (1881-1885). Both are available to peruse free online.
Murray County Ag and Solid Waste Administrator Jon Bloemandaal presented information regarding the 2026-2027 MPCA County Feedlot plan. He told commissioners there are currently 425 feedlots in Murray County, 7 percent of which are inspected annually.
The commissioners approved putting out bids for remodeling of the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds. Parks Director Justin Hoffmann said the lean-to on the building will be removed and rebuilt, along with the building getting new overhead doors and LED lighting. The bid opening is scheduled for February 17.
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of a plan for partial abandonment of JD 14. According to Ditch Inspector Travis Radke, the goal is to restore wetlands, with the benefit of flood control. An engineer for the project needs to be appointed.
Murray County Sheriff Heath Landsman brought to the commissioners an emergency on-call contract with the City of Slayton. The Slayton Police Department is currently short-staffed. The contract, which was approved, covers charges to the City of Slayton for $20 per hour for an on-call officer and $70 per hour if the deputy is part of an incident. A contract with the City of Fulda was also approved for $20,000 a year to cover 42 days of service.
Landsman also received approval for the 2026 per capita funding for the Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force at a cost of $36,805.
Carlson reported receiving an email from Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council Executive Director Carrie Bendix in regard to whether Murray County plans to host an internship program in 2026.
For the past two years, Murray County has hosted the program, putting 15 college students through an internship program with Murray County businesses. The program was funded at a cost of $115,000 over the two years, with the funding coming from ARPA. Those monies are now depleted, and Bendix is wondering if the county plans to fund the program this year.
Commissioner Roger Zins said the cost of the project should not be on the back of the county, with Commissioner Loy Woelber stating a note should be sent to businesses to see if they want to “pony up” the funds for the program. The idea will be re-visited after some research is done on the cost and whether student interns need to pay into the Minnesota Paid Leave program.
