305 E. Luverne St.

Luverne, MN 56156

www.cityofluverne.org

Announcement of Meeting

Economic Development Authority

Regular Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 9, 2026

8:00 AM

Council Chambers

OATH OF OFFICE

Sherri Thompson submitted her Letter of Resignation. Quinn Buss

is fulfilling the remainder of her term with an expiration date of

January 2031. Mayor Pat Baustian administered the Oath of Office

to Quinn Buss.

CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL

Patrick Baustian, Ryan DeBates, Tara Zewiske, Kevin Aaker, and Quinn

Buss

Present

A Regular Meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority was held in the

Council Chambers, commencing at 8:00 AM.

Additional attendees include: City Administrator Jill Wolf & EDA Director Holly

Sammons.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING

Approval of LEDA Regular Meeting Minutes - 01 12 2026

A motion was made by Aaker, seconded by Zewiske, that these

LEDA Minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following

vote:

Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, Aaker, and Buss

Aye:

BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Approval of Regular Department Payment Report - 01 2026

A motion was made by DeBates, seconded by Aaker, that this

LEDA Regular Department Payment Report be approved. The

motion carried by the following vote:

Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, Aaker, and Buss

Aye:

Approval of Financial Report - 01 2026

A motion was made by Zewiske, seconded by DeBates, that this

LEDA Financial Report be approved. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, Aaker, and Buss

Aye:

DIRECTOR'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION

Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) Announces 2026

Excellence in Economic Development Award Winners

Winners of the Excellence in Economic Development Awards were announced

on January 22, 2026 as part of EDAM’s annual Winter Conference. The City of

Luverne, in partnership with Kids Rock! Child Care Center, has been selected as

a winner of the Innovation Award as part of the Excellence in Economic

Development Awards.

These awards recognize projects and professionals in the economic

development industry who have gone above and beyond or overcome significant

challenges in the past year. The awards are presented annually to highlight

outstanding projects, initiatives, and leadership that demonstrate innovation,

community impact, and effective problem-solving. The Innovation Award

specifically recognizes a creative solution to an economic development

challenge and may be awarded to a community, county, organization, individual,

or collaborative team.

The Greater Minnesota Innovation Award was awarded to the City of Luverne

and Kids Rock! Child Care Center in recognition of our collaborative efforts to

address critical workforce and childcare challenges through innovative,

community-driven solutions. This recognition reflects the strength of our

partnerships, the leadership demonstrated by the City and Kids Rock!

throughout the project, and the measurable impact on economic development

and quality of life in our community. It also brings positive statewide visibility to

Luverne and reinforces the importance of investing in childcare as essential for

economic growth.

Here is the link to the Awards Page:

https://www.edam.org/EDAM/EDAM/About/Awards/Awards.aspx

Here is the link to the You Tube Video for the Innovation Award Project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q4xyAUKOBs

As part of the Conference, Sammons and McClure were also speakers along

with First Children's Finance and ISG for a facilitated panel discussion about

how the community took action to address a critical infrastructure need for

community growth and business attraction. Together, the panelists highlighted

how collaboration, creativity, and community engagement turned an urgent need

into a lasting economic investment in Luverne’s future. The discussion began

with a recap of the community engagement process that began in 2017 and

involved a number of community meetings to include elected officials, local

businesses, current providers, and parents alike. The urgency came from

parents when local family childcare providers announced they were closing and

other providers were nearing retirement. Additionally, the number of family child

care providers was steadily declining year after year. With limited availability,

especially for infant slots, many parents were left with no options. After the

community meetings, it was identified that the lack of childcare was negatively

affecting many local businesses ability to attract and retain talent. The COVID

period further proved that childcare is essential to workforce development.

While Rock County has proudly been served exclusively by wonderful in-home

family child care providers, there are simply not enough of them. Many working

parents also expressed the desire for center-based care to accommodate

different needs such as extended hours and consistent care over the summer,

holidays, and school breaks. Making the connection between childcare and

economic development, local leaders viewed childcare as essential to

community growth. Furthermore, parents wanted options and a healthy

community would offer both.

After securing the $2.6 million dollar federal grant, the community went to work

on fundraising another $1 million dollars. Of particular interest to the attendees

was how the community raised over $1 million dollars. Sammons shared that

businesses contributed over 60% of all dollars raised and noted the following

contributions:

32 business donors accounted for $756,000

37+ individual donations - $150,000

2 Philanthropist - $325,000

2 Foundations - $99,000

3 Churches - $22,500

3 Clubs/organizations $10,000

The panel shared the funding structure for the project and the details about the

ownership and management of the operations. Kids Rock! is the license holder

and the center opened in June 2025. Attendance has steadily been increasing

each month since opening. About 97 children attend per week in January and

the center employs 33 people (PT and FT). Results from a recent Family Impact

Survey were also shared to understand how the center's opening is impacting

families, businesses, and the community:

Reliability for Employers:

-The #1 challenge families faced before Kids Rock! was a "Lack of availability

and reliability" (55%). By offering different options for working parents, the center

has directly reduced last-minute work disruptions for many families and

improved work-life balance for others.

-78% of parents say Kids Rock! allows them to work full time.

Peace of Mind:

-9 out of 10 parents report significantly lower stress levels since joining the Kids

Rock! family.

Consistency:

-81% reported "Improved reliability and consistency of childcare, which is vital

for long-term family stability."

Child Development:

-74% noted a direct improvement in their child’s routine and well-being.

Stress Reduction:

-89% of respondents reported "Reduced stress related to childcare."

This data confirms that Kids Rock! is not only a childcare provider but a vital

driver of Luverne’s workforce stability and community appeal.

Sammons reported that the Council would be hearing a

presentation from a Developer on a proposed housing project at the

February 10th Council Work Session.

Sammons also reported that the City Department Heads would be

attending the Rock County Future Leaders meeting on the evening

of February 9th at 7pm .

BUSINESS

Motion to Approve Resolution #3-2026 "A RESOLUTION BY THE LUVERNE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ADOPTING A DATA PRACTICES

POLICY AND APPOINTING A RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY AND

COMPLIANCE OFFICIAL"

A motion was made by Aaker, seconded by DeBates, that this

LEDA Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following

vote:

Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, Aaker, and Buss

Aye:

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business before the Luverne Economic

Development Authority, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 AM.

A motion was made by Zewiske, seconded by Buss, that this be adjourned. The

motion carried by the following vote:

Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, Aaker, and Buss

Aye:

SIGNATURES

____________________________

Patrick T. Baustian, President

_____________________________

Holly J. Sammons, EDA Director