On the agenda: Harmony Agenda — Data Center (Jul 10)

HARMONY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Special Meeting Minutes Ju ly 10 , 2026 Council Room 7:30 A.M. Community Center CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7: 30 A.M. by EDA President Stuart Morem _ x _ Steve Donney (Mayor) _ x _ Ke ls ey Bergey (EDA) _ x _ Keith McIntosh (City Council) _ x _ Alissa Stel p flug (City Administrator) _ x _ Greg Schieber (EDA) _ x _ Chris Hahn (EDA Interim Director) _ x _ Stuart Morem (EDA) _x_ Other: Erica Thilges, Amy Bishop, Aaron Bishop AGENDA / MINUTES (Consent Agenda) Motion to approve the Jun e 4th Meeting Agenda and May 7 th Meeting Minutes was made by Steve Donney , 2 nd by Keith McIntosh carried unanimously with no discussion REPORTS : Chamber of Commerce Report: Amy Bishop updated the EDA Board on the activities of the Interim Chamber Director , Kell e y . Kell e y is focusing on organizing the HACC Director Position, and streamlining internal processes, noting that she has been doing excellent work in the three days per week role. The Chamber hopes to finalized the position description in the coming month, and hopefully have a new director hired in September. A written report was also provided by Kelley Collins for the HACC, including details on the following events: Ladies Bingo Night Tuesday July 14 th at the Harmony Golf Club Back Alley Jam Thursday, July 16 th – Behind Harmony Spirits HACC Golf Tournament Monday July 20 th HACC Monthly Board Meeting on Tuesday July, 21 st Fillmore County Fair July 20-26th Financial Report and C laims: The June 23 , 2026 EDA RED Loan Summary was presented and reviewed by the board. Follow-up action was requested regarding the most recent payment due from Harmony Spirits. All other RED Loan accounts are current and in good standing . Prospects & Community Update : Elkhorn Outdoors (Richard Dodds) contacted the Harmony EDA and Kelsey Bergey looking to relocate to the Harmony, MN are a . Elkhorn Outdoors actively provides outdoor activities for veterans (hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Guide Sevices ) and has been feature on the outdoor channel and ESPN Outdoors. Richard and his wife are from the area and looking to retire here but still provide Outdoor services to Veterans. Currently he is considering a property in the area to relocate his organization to and area that provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and guide services. Residential Property Improvements: Discussion was had regarding opportunities for the City of Harmony to help facilitate property improvements for residents undertaking significant renovation , citing the Alexander Property at 320 2 nd Ave SE as the example as the owners had inquired as to any available assistance. It was noted the housing rebate program could be utilized , depending on the type of renovation, and Director Hahn will reach out to Alexanders with additional information. D iscussion was ha d on how the city could better facilitate property improvements . CEDA Work Update: Business Updates and Meetings: Director Hahn reported that in meeting with multiple businesses in the past week, several themes were discussed: Several b usinesses report ed foot traffic has been a little slower than usual and that fewer families were shopping. The subject of how to better utilize available apartment spaces (above businesses downtown) also was discussed, noting that a major challenge being that insurance costs for older buildings have increased substantially in the last year or two, making it financially difficult to renovate existing apartment spaces. EDA Loan s and Programs : Tinker Makes (Mason Weedman) had requested an additional $1000 for repairs added to his approved $25,681.52 . Downtown Revitalization project , which was appr oved by the EDA in June. However, it appears that total renovation costs may come in under initial estimates, and that the additional funds may not be needed. SMIF Economic Development Grant was presented to the EDA Board. The program supports organizations that provide direct services to help people start or expand small businesses and that create welcoming environments where more residents can participate in southern Minnesota’s business support network. While all communities in SMIF’s region will be considered, preference is given to organizations or projects serving communities with populations under 10,000. The Program awards up to $10,000 with a 10% match required. Application deadline is August 10, 2026. Other Updates: Harmon y Non-Biker Trail Ride took place on June 6 th celebrating the official opening of the Trail extension. This event provided wagon rides to residents with limited mobility from the Harmony trailhead to Niagara Cave The event was well attended. Data Center Ordinance : It was reported that an initial draft is being finalized for review by the EDA, Planning and Zong and City Council. Once completed a joint planning sessions and public hearing will be conducted. A timeline of the next steps in process is still being determined. Childcare: Greg Schieber offered an update on the topic of utilizing community center space for school aged childcare. In contacting Umbelina Cremer, she mentioned that at this time she would need to have another entity hold the license for a childcare facility withing the Community Center . Other alternative s discussed were having the City of Harmony look into supporting childcare in other ways including, purchasing property to lease to childcare providers, and the “childcare house” concept currently being pioneered in Noble County, MN. T he board conclud ed that more information would be beneficial, including , engaging with First Children’s Finance, reviewing actual childcare facility financials, and reviewing survey results to be presented at the RCCIP event on July 28th results would be helpful in determining options moving forward. Additionally, Director Hahn will reach out to Fillmore Central to discuss ideas/needs regarding childcare and the potential use of community center space for childcare. Reminder- DNR: Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail repaving delayed: Section north of Harmony, plans to start in July with completion in September. CEDA’s 2026 Annual Meeting will be held Friday, October 1 st in Cohasset, MN. Public Forum: None presented Old Business: Continued Discussion/Committee Update: Combining EDA/ Chamber Directors role and e xplore partnership with other communities regarding EDA services : A committee update was provided be Kelsey Bergey, including a d raft Community Vitality Framework outline key areas and ideas generated from the committee meetings involving different aspects of the EDA and Chamber Director roles . (included in this document) . Several communities were contacted including Preston, Lanesboro and Spring Valley, to determine if/how they share Chamber and EDA duties, and staff within the respective communities. Discussion was had around some of the benefits and drawback identified in this draft. The EDA board came to a consensus to wait and see what the HACC settles on for a Chamber Director Position (hours, duties, etc.) and subsequent job posting and interview process. New Business: None Adjournment : Motion to adjourned made by Greg Schieber, 2 nd by Keith McIntoch, meeting adjourned at 8:49 am The next EDA meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2026 a t 7:30 a.m. at th e Community Center. Respectfully Submitted, Chris Hahn – CEDA Interim EDA Director