Mayor and City Council Members: - Member contact information City Departments: - Administration/Media Contact/City Clerk: Election and voting information including voter registration - Business Development and Finance: Offers a Revolving Fund Loan Program where business owners can apply for up to $75,000. Funds may be used for land, building, or renovation costs along with equipment and machinery purchases for qualified borrowers - Planning and Zoning Department: Oversees planning and development in the city and reviews applications and petitions to ensure compliance with zoning and land use regulations. Responsible for processing new construction and minor building permit applications and overseeing the licensing of rental dwellings. Building code questions should be directed to the building inspector (952)442-7520. - Public Services: Maintains and repairs city streets and alleys, storm sewers, public property, and city equipment, and coordinates the maintenance/replacement of street lights. Duties include street and alley repair, seal coating, street sweeping, snow and ice control, and traffic sign maintenance. Intake Phone: (952)442-2615; Address: 310 10th East Street; E-mail: [email protected]; Hours: 7 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday - Public Utilities Department: Consists of water and sanitary sewer utilities. Operates and maintains public water supply system including the water treatment facility, hydrants, city wells and water storage facilities, and installation and maintenance of water meters; and wastewater collection system including lift stations - Utility Billing: Water and sewer billing department. Intake Phone: (952)442-3107; E-mail: [email protected] - Receptacle for citizens to dispose of unwanted medications. Citizens should remove their name and personal information from the medication container, but leave the name of the medication on the container. Medications should be left in their original container.

Mayor and City Council Members: Member Contact Information Building Inspection Department - Responsible for issuing building, plumbing, mechanical and fence permits, as well as schedules and conducts inspections Economic Development - Helps with the development of new businesses and properties throughout the City (952)227-7529 - Helps retain and redevelop businesses - Helps restore blighted properties and downtown historic buildings by encouraging redevelopment activities - Storefront Redevelopment Loan helps downtown historic business owners with the upgrade of their buildings Engineering Department - Manages issues related to lot grading, overland drainage, street signage, wetland management, development reviews, utility system review, and construction inspection Fire Marshal - Conducts fire extinguisher training for area businesses, fire safety education, and fire investigations (952)448-2990 Municipal Services - Offers energy efficiency rebates to residents and businesses who pay their electric bill to the City of Chaska http://www.mmpa.org/our-Communities/Chaska.aspx. Planning Department - Maintains the City's Comprehensive Plan, which establishes overall goals and policies for community development, revitalization, maintenance and growth. The Zoning Ordinance is the principal tool used to regulate land uses and development standards. Produces many maps, development lists, reports and presentations for the public. Provides sign permits. Public Works - Provides street and alley maintenance, street cleaning, snow removal, storm sewer and flood control maintenance, Civil Defense warning system maintenance, sign maintenance, and construction inspection services. To report potholes or storm damaged trees, or for any other street maintenance concerns, call (952)448-4335 Water and Sewer - Responsible for water treatment and distribution for the city. If residents experience a sewer backup, they should contact the Sewer Department before calling their plumber. If a resident's sewer backs up only after they have run water, the problem is most likely in resident's system, and they will need to call a plumber. Call (952)448-4335 office hours are 7 am - 3:30 Monday - Friday. After hour and weekend calls will be directed to dispatch.

The program supports early childhood educators including family child care providers, child care centers, and preschools to improve the quality of care they provide. Programs include: - Child Care Wayfinder, a one-stop navigation network for starting and growing child care programs. Navigators offer personalized support and resources. - Parent Aware recruitment to enroll childhood educators. Once enrolled, childhood educators are provided with parent-aware coaching, quality rating, and support. - Professional development and workforce advising for individuals interested in early childhood knowledge and/or attaining a college degree in the field - Professional training for childhood educators to meet licensing requirements - Regional grants available to licensed child care programs each year starting September 1 through 25th - Start-up grants on an ongoing basis depending on funding

Mayor and City Council Members Member Contact Information ?Administration: - Deputy City Clerk - Building Official - Office Specialist Airport: - Address: 7575 U.S. Highway 169 - Phone: (507)526-7264 - Airport Managers Blue Earth Light and Water: - Operations Manager - Office Manager - Line Superintendent - Water Superintendent - Customer Service - Rebates - Provides electricity and water services and rebate/conservation program Brush Site: - Located in the southwest corner of 21st and Ramsey Streets (one block south of the four-way stop on Ramsey Street/385th Avenue) - Hours of Operation: 10 am - 1 pm Tuesday; 4 pm - 7 pm Thursday; 10 am - 4 pm Saturday - Brush and leaf collection site City Attorney: - Address: 117 West 5th Street - Phone: (507)526-2177 - Toll Free: (800)426-6967 - Fax: (507)526-4477 - City Attorney - Assistant City Attorney City Engineer: - Professional Engineer - Address: 219 North Main Street Fairmont, MN 56031 - Phone: (507)238-4738 - Fax: (507)238-7432 Economic Development Authority: - City Administrator - Community Development Office Specialist - Business Assistance: Administers five programs to assist new and expanding businesses. - The Revolving Loan Fund is a source of gap financing for working capital, equipment, inventory and building construction, and renovation. - The Utility Revolving Loan Fund is a source of financing for new construction or improvement of electric, water, or sanitary sewer lines. - The purpose of the Forgivable Loan/Grant Program is to provide for the promotion and continuation of existing lifestyle businesses within the City of Blue Earth. - The Building Façade Improvement Grant is a program that assists businesses in making improvements that improve the appearance of the exterior of their building. - Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) is a state - designed and locally - administered program. Fitness Center: - Address: 320 Oak Road, Faribault County Fairgrounds - Intake Phone: (507)526-3376 - Director - Activities, Classes and Programs: Tennis lessons, racquetball, walleyball, ralleyball (elementary tennis), basketball, weight room (with cardio equipment, free weights and TV), personal training, indoor walking, no impact aerobic classes (pilates and exercise ball), body bar classes, kickboxing classes, step aerobics, senior weight room classes, SilverSneakers Fitness Program, and sand volleyball Parks: - Faribault County Fairgrounds are located on North Main Street and have a playground, ball fields, walking/biking trail, I-90 Kartin Speedway, and stables - Leland Park and Beyer Field border each other on County Road 16 (Leland Parkway) has a municipal ice rink, sledding hill, and picnic shelter - Putnam Park located at the south end of Main Street has a municipal pool, trail, tennis courts, playground, and disc golf course - Steinberg Nature Park located 1/4 mile east of Blue Earth on County Road 16 has a trail - Third Ward Park located on the east side of Blue Earth has a playground Public Works: - Public Works Director - Oversees construction and reconstruction of streets, patching, seal-coating, sweeping, and snowplowing Swimming Pool: - Address: 111 West 14th Street - Office Phone: (507)526-3376 - Pool Phone: (507)526-2715 - Pool Manager - Leisure pool featuring a zero depth area with play features, plunge pool with a 50 foot slide, four lane lap pool with a recreational diving board, and lifeguards on staff. - Activities, Programs, and Lessons: Deck aerobics and toning, pilates, water aerobics, lifeguard training, family swim, and open swim - Wastewater Management: Operates and activated sludge wastewater treatment facility - Provides building permits, charitable gambling permits, liquor licenses, open burning permits, pet licenses, and sign permits

- Aging services - Bicycle safety education - Community development - Community visioning - Hazard mitigation planning - GIS/mapping - Grant writing - Hazard mitigation planning - Land use planning - Pedestrian and bicyclist counting - Recreation planning - Revolving loan fund (loans to businesses and non-profit organizations) - Senior LinkAge Line - Strategic planning - Transportation planning

Provides information and resources to individuals who are interested in starting a business. Services include: - Consultations with the Small Business Assistance Office to help individuals understand or have questions about starting a business. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month for small business owners. - Information about considerations when starting a business, organizing the business, structure, forming partnerships, differences of business entities, business licenses, permits, business tax liabilities, and filing documents with the Secretary of State - MN Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program: Provides business loans to companies that are affected when certain employees are called to active duty and individual veterans who have returned from active duty and want to start their own business. Types of loans include business loans and startup business loans. Terms include one-time, interest-free loans of $ 5,000 to $20,000, with 54 months of no repayment for the first 18 months and equal monthly payments over the remaining 36 months. More information can be found online at https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/reservists/. - Small Business Development Center offices are located throughout the state to provide professional expertise and guidance to help clients manage their businesses - Tips on a business plan overview, basic accounting principles, business finance basics, types of business insurance, hiring employees, protecting intellectual property, and business management basics

Koochco is a private, non-profit gap financing agency. Koochco's loans are meant to create and maintain permanent employment through the establishment of new businesses or the expansion of existing businesses in Koochiching County. To be eligible for this program, the business must be located within Koochiching County.

- Advances economic growth by providing gap financing and business for new, existing, or transitioning businesses, as well as technical assistance and training - Enhances economic and social growth of southwest Minnesota through giving and grant making - Funds and giving tools to help donors meet their unique philanthropic goals - Invests in projects and programs that will enrich the region with a focus on economic advancement, renewable energy, community leadership, and early childhood initiatives

Services include: - Job creation through loans and grants - Loans to businesses and entrepreneurs in the region - Support community organizations, schools, hospitals, city and county government through grants - Establish endowment funds to support Northwest Minnesota communities in the future - Support new businesses and expanded existing businesses - Train community leaders - A center for local philanthropy where committed citizens can make a difference for their communities and neighbors by financially responding to changing human and economic needs - Nonprofit management and organizational effectiveness training - Early Childhood initiative - Youth leadership training

Helps people develop skills and knowledge to improve their lives and communities. Offers a variety of programs for learners of all ages. Class offerings include adult basic education, business courses, GED prep courses, gymnastics, sports and recreational activities, writing classes, and more.

Helps people start and grow their small business. - Business consulting - Business financing - Business planning - Financial analysis - Marketing strategies Satellite offices including: ACHLA (Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans), Collider, Development Corp. of Austin, Faribault Chamber of Commerce, Owatonna Area Business Development Center, and Red Wing Ignite.

Offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. Public bodies, non-profit organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand, or improve facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and public services. Projects include: - Adult and childcare centers - Assisted living facilities - Fire and rescue stations - Health care clinics and hospitals - Public buildings and other community-based initiatives - Rehabilitation centers - Schools and libraries - Village and town halls

Provides aspiring small business owners with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to succeed. Services include: - Business Technical Assistance: Comprehensive support in business planning, operations, and scaling - Culturally Relevant Entrepreneurship Training: Tailored programs that address unique challenges and opportunities for diverse communities - Micro Lending: Provides access to small loans designed to kickstart and grow businesses - Workshops and Resources: Interactive sessions and materials to enhance business acumen and connect entrepreneurs to vital resources

Mayor and City Council Member Contact Information Administration: - City Administrator/Clerk: works as planning and zoning administrator and administers city elections - City Bookkeeper handles the city's monthly water and sewer billings Economic Development Authority: - Primary focus includes promotion and attraction of new and expanding business and industry throughout the region - Seeks to utilize economic tools and incentives to spur development and enhance business climate. Offers a Revolving Loan Fund, Tax Increment Financing, Minnesota's JOBZ tax incentive program, and assistance in obtaining state, federal and business financial loans or grants. Streets/Parks: - Responsible for maintenance of city roadways and alleys and snow removal - Lions Park - West Park - Boat landing and city swimming beach Water: - Responsible for water treatment plant operation, sewer treatment plant operation, and also maintenance, testing and record keeping

Provides gap financing programs to assist businesses and start-ups

Flexible, non-traditional business lending and technical support for new and existing businesses in the service area, including the Northland Foundation business loan program and Northland Small Business Development Center support

- Business classes and workshops to guide new entrepreneurs and current business owners on issues important to consider when starting or growing a business. - Business consulting and assessment of business ideas, plan, and potential by qualified business experts. - Financial consulting and small business loans packaging for business owners. - Micro-loan funds available for qualified businesses. Start-up and expansion loans range in size from $500 to $50,000. - SBA Women's Business Center, part of a national network of centers designed to assist women start their own business. - Small business development classes offering a five-course designed to support entrepreneur through the start-up phase of their business. Visit website for courses offered. - Technical assistance to grow and enhance a business, review a plan, advise on marketing, pricing, record keeping, operations, and technology.

Mayor and City Council Members: Member contact information City Administration: (507)934-0663 - City codes, city attorney, city council, city general information, elections, and public records Building: (507)934-0662 - Issues permits and conducts inspections to enforce state building code and city ordinance - Provides rental licenses and rental inspections - Regulates building, mechanical, plumbing, demolition of structures, and manufactured housing Community Development: (507)934-0661 - Directs the economic development and planning and zoning efforts for the city - Provides revolving loan accounts and supports industrial, commercial, and residential development. Finance and Utility: (507)934-0664 - Includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting, insurance, investments, and more. - Provides weekly trash collection and biweekly recycling service Public Works: (507)934-0670 - Includes electric, environmental services, parks, streets, stormwater, water

Mayor and City Council Member Contact Information Building Department: - Darin Haslip, building official - Building inspection information - Construction permit information City Attorney: (320)365-4868 City Clerk Department: - Election information - Local government information including mayor and city council members - Meeting room policy information Community Center: - 130 Main Street South, Hector, MN, (320)848-2710 - Rental available Emergency Management: - Chief of police, [email protected], (320)848-2500 Engineering Department: - City Engineer, Moore Engineering, (701)499-5821 - Map information - Street construction/repair information - Water quality assurance information Planning Department: - Community development - Meets 7 am, 3rd Thursday, at Hector Community Center Public Works Division: - Water/Sewer, (320)848-2122, [email protected] - Parks Supervisor: [email protected] - Parks, trails, playgrounds, ball fields and ice rinks information - Sewer maintenance information - Snow removal information - Street cleaning and street construction/repair information - Water Plant: (320)848-2480, Cell: (320)522-1966 Swimming Pool: (320)848-2533 For any other city information, call city hall.

Child Care Loan Program - Provide a forgivable loan of up to $2,000 per licensed childcare provider towards approved expenses related to the cost of opening a childcare business in Mower County Community Housing Improvement Program - CHIP - Home improvement loans with 2% interest rate not exceeding $10,000 for rehabilitating existing homes. Eligible projects include electrical/furnace service replacement, painting, roofing, siding, windows, etc. - Home remodeling loans with 2% interest rate up to $25,000. Eligible projects include additions, decks, new garages, etc. Home Ownership Fund - Austin/Mower County Home Ownership Fund (A/MCF) - Provide loans with 2% interest rate up to $6,000 to use towards down payment and closing costs or rehabilitation necessary to purchase a home. Potential homebuyers must attend homebuyer training workshops. Tax Abatement program - Provide up to 5 years of tax abatement for Mower County portion of property taxes on qualifying housing units. Eligible units of housing include a single-family house or multi-family complexes. A house may be new construction, modular, or manufactured provided it is on a permanent foundation and is valued and assessed as real property for property tax purposes.

- Business development services including technical assistance, loan consultation, and entrepreneurial training - Commercial-industrial real estate development - Community-based development planning - Housing development and asset management

Offers low-income individuals who are interested in opening a small business start-up or need an expansion loan. The program includes: - Child care provider business start-up or expansion loans up to $3000 - Focus on women and minority-owned businesses is encouraged to apply - Small business start-up or expansion loan of $25,000 - Repayment terms are reasonable and flexible

- Business recruitment - Downtown development - Financial Assistance: Operates two grant programs and two revolving loan funds having more than 1.3 million in assets to provide "gap" financing for qualified business projects. Other financial resources are also available. - Technical assistance

- Professional development training for providers - Provides services to assist families in finding quality child care - Start-up assistance including technical assistance, coaching, and grant funds to support providers

Offers low-income individuals who are interested in opening a small business start-up or need an expansion loan. The program includes: - Child care provider business start-up or expansion loans up to $3000 - Focus on women and minority-owned businesses is encouraged to apply - Small business start-up or expansion loan of $25,000 - Repayment terms are reasonable and flexible